Key result
Acute haematocrit reduction increases resting and exercise cardiac output in cyanotic congenital heart disease.
Why the study?
The physiological circulatory effects of acute haematocrit reduction in patients with severe polycythaemia secondary to cyanotic congenital heart disease were not well characterized.
Haematocrit reduction may improve cardiac output and exercise oxygen uptake in polycythaemic cyanotic CHD; leaves open need for controlled trials before practice change.
Acute reduction in haematocrit (without significant alteration of blood volume) in six patients with severe polycythaemia secondary to cyanotic congenital heart disease resulted in an increase in resting cardiac output without alteration in heart rate. Cardiac output was also increased during a constant-load exercise test after haematocrit reduction, and under these conditions total oxygen uptake was increased with consequent reduction in oxygen debt. These measurements confirm that the subjective improvement in such patients after haematocrit reduction is matched by physiological circulatory changes.
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Oldershaw et al. (1980) studied Severe polycythaemia secondary to cyanotic congenital heart disease (n=6). Acute reduction in haematocrit was evaluated on Resting cardiac output. Acute reduction in haematocrit in patients with severe polycythaemia secondary to cyanotic congenital heart disease resulted in an increase in resting and exercise cardiac output.
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