Alterations in ventricular pumping in patients with atrial septal defect at rest, during dobutamine stress and after defect closure
Background: Regional ventricular pumping mechanisms in patients with volume-loaded right ventricles (RV) are altered, but the cause is unknown. The aim was to determine whether these changes in ventricular pumping mechanisms are influenced by the RV dilatation itself or the aetiology behind it. Methods: Seventeen patients with atrial septal defects (ASD) and 10 healthy controls underwent cardiovas