The Surgical Treatment of Ventricular Septal Defect in Infancy

Abstract

Thirteen infants with ventricular septal defect, pulmonary hypertension, and severe congestive heart failure were treated by pulmonary artery constriction. The 12 children who survived operation have been followed from 1 to 4 years and have evidenced striking improvement in growth, weight gain, and exercise tolerance. None has had pneumonia or heart failure after operation. Considerations in the selection of patients for pulmonary artery constriction, the surgical method employed, and its hemodynamic control are described.