肺动脉闭锁合并室间隔缺损的临床病理分析

目的 研究肺动脉闭锁合并室间隔缺损的解剖类型和血流动力学改变,并探讨其适宜的手术方式.方法 回顾性分析233例肺动脉闭锁合并室间隔缺损的造影结果,分析肺血来源、肺动脉发育情况和合并畸形及其与手术预后的影响.结果 233例中中央肺动脉存在,肺血单纯由未闭的动脉导管供应者112例(48.1%),其中1例为双侧动脉导管(0.5%);中央肺动脉和大的主一肺动脉侧支血管(MAPCA)均存在者104例(44.6%);无中央肺动脉,仅有MAPCA供应肺血者17例(7.3%).肺动脉闭锁部位以右室流出道和瓣膜闭锁最多见(48.1%).侧支血管的来源包括直接的主动脉一肺侧支动脉,间接的主动脉一肺侧支动脉和支气管动脉.合并畸形包括心脾综合征、房室连接不一致、心室大动脉连接不一致、多发室间隔缺损、右位主动脉弓、房间隔缺损、左上腔静脉残存、内脏异位症、上下心室、肺静脉异位引流和冠状动脉起源异常等.结论 肺动脉闭锁合并室间隔缺损患者肺血来源多样化,肺动脉发育程度不一,并可合并多种心内、心外畸形,影响手术方法的选掸和手术结果.     

单源化手术治疗肺动脉闭锁合并室间隔缺损及重要主肺动脉侧支血管

目的 探讨肺动脉闭锁合并室间隔缺损及重要主肺动脉侧支血管的手术方式,评价其临床疗效.方法 2008年7月至2010年8月本院采用单源化手术治疗肺动脉闭锁（PA）合并室间隔缺损（VSD）及重要主肺动脉侧支血管（MAPCAs）患儿8例.男3例,女5例,年龄4～72个月,中位年龄24个月,体重7.5～15.5 kg,平均体重（11.2±2.4）kg.7例采取分期于术治疗,1例采取一期根治手术.结果 全组患儿均存活.随诊6～20个月,1例一期根治手术患儿痊愈;7例分期手术患儿,临床紫绀症状均好转.其中3例肺动脉明显发育,进一步行二期根治手术治愈.结论 单源化手术是治疗肺动脉闭锁合并室间隔缺损及重要主肺动脉侧支血管的有效方法,分期手术可取得良好的临床疗效.     

肺动脉闭锁合并室间隔缺损及大型主-肺侧支动脉术后的管理

伴室间隔缺损及大型主-肺动脉侧支血管的肺动脉闭锁(PA/VSD/MAPCAS)是一种较罕见的复杂先天性心血管畸形.采用何种手术方式治疗本症仍然是心脏外科医师面临的巨大难题.这也对术后的监护处理提出更高的要求.     

复杂先天性心脏病术后应用并成功脱离体外膜肺氧合一例

患儿,男,1岁8个月,体重9kg,因发现心脏杂音1周入院.患儿入院后明确诊断为复杂先天性心脏病(肺动脉闭锁、室间隔缺损、动脉导管未闭、卵圆孔未闭、主动脉瓣轻度关闭不全).经完善检查,于入院后第8天行肺动脉闭锁/室间隔缺损矫治术.术中见主动脉显著增宽,右冠状动脉窦瘤部明显扩张,主肺动脉0.8 cm,左肺动脉0.8 cm,右肺动脉1.0 cm,右心室显著增厚,腔内见粗大肌束,右室流出道狭窄,肺动脉瓣闭锁,干下型室间隔缺损2.0cm,主动脉骑跨70％.结扎动脉导管未闭(直径0.8 cm),切开右室流出道,连续缝合修补室间隔缺损,心包片重建右室流出道.术中主动脉阻断40 min,转流3.5h,术后停机困难,行体外膜肺氧合(extracorporeal membrane oxygenation,ECMO)辅助,延迟关胸回ICU.     

同种带瓣管道治疗复杂先天性心脏病(附31例报告)

目的研究同种带瓣管道治疗复杂先天性心脏病的疗效。方法1997年12月～2003年4月，我科应用同种带瓣管道治疗复杂先天性心脏病31例。病种包括重症法乐氏四联症(TOF)14例，其中合并动脉导管未闭(PDA)1例，合并肺动脉闭锁(PA)、右肺动脉缺如(RPaA)各1例，PDA PA 1例，右冠状动脉畸形(RCaA)2例；右室双出口(DORV)8例，其中合并RCaA2例；三尖瓣闭锁(TA)1例；大动脉转位(L-TGA)并室间隔缺损(VSD)、肺动脉狭窄(Ps)3例；永存动脉干(PTA)2例；主动脉缩窄(CoA)并PDA 1例；VSD并PS、RCaA 1例；亚急性细菌性心内膜炎(SBE)1例。术式：主、肺动脉单瓣作右室流出道跨瓣补片术14例；Rastelli手术11例；右心室-肺动脉连接(RV-PA)3例；肺动脉瓣置换1例：Ross手术1例；改良Fantan手术1例。结果主、肺动脉单瓣作右室流出道跨瓣补片组14例，1例术后3d死于右心功能不全(7．14％)。存活13例，随访3～57月，超声心动图检查显示移植后瓣膜启闭功能良好，无增厚及粘连。同种带瓣管道移植矫治组17例，死亡7例(41．2％)，存活10例，随访9～57月，管道血流通过顺畅，管壁无变薄、钙化。结论同种带瓣管道具有管壁弹性好，易于缝合，术后排斥反应少等优点，可广泛应用于复杂先天性心脏病矫治术、左，右室流出道的重建。同种带瓣管道补片既能加宽右室流出道，且有良好抗反流作用，有利于术后患儿心功能恢复，使部分复杂的病例能够一次手术根治。     

7公斤以下婴幼儿先天性心脏病根治术

目的探讨低体重婴幼儿先天性心脏病的手术时机、方法及围术期处理对策。方法2004年1月至2005年11月连续手术治疗7kg以下先天性心脏病患儿23例,男13例,女10例,平均月龄为8.74m±3.74m(3m～17m),平均体重为6.14kg±0.81k(g4.05kg～7.0kg)。室间隔缺损(VSD)合并肺动脉高压(肺高压)6例,房间隔缺损(ASD)合并肺高压2例,VSD、动脉导管未闭(PDA)合并肺高压1例,VSD、ASD或卵圆孔未闭合并肺高压9例,房-室间隔缺损、右室双出口、法乐氏三联症、法乐氏四联症、室间隔完整型肺动脉闭锁各1例。结果23例患儿均在体外循环心内直视下行一期根治性手术。4例出现暂时性房室传导阻滞,3例出现肺不张,治愈21例,死亡2例(死亡率为8.70%)。死亡原因均为低心排综合征。结论在婴幼儿期行先心病体外循环手术可以取得满意的疗效,根据婴幼儿生理特点采取合适的治疗方案是成功的关键。     

心血管系统疾病

05 1 62 8　先天性心脏病肺动脉高压手术前后右心功能变化和治疗 /朱卫华…∥临床儿科杂志 .-2 0 0 4,2 2 (3 ) .-1 43～ 1 46方法 :对室间隔缺损 (室缺 )合并重度肺动脉高压 (全肺循环阻力增加 )的 40例患儿 ,用心导管的方法进行术前、术后 5～ 7年右心功能、肺循环的血流动力学随访测定。结果 :术前右心心搏指数、作功指数、心排指数显著高于术后 ;术前右房压、右室收缩压及舒张压、肺动脉压力和阻力均增高 ,缺损修补后右室舒张压恢复正常 ,收缩压的降低与肺动脉压力下降有关 ;大型室缺左向右分流重度肺动脉高压右心功能不全系继发性右室…     

手术治疗新生儿重症先天性心脏病28例

目的 总结新生儿重症先天性心脏病的手术治疗以及围手术期处理经验,评价其临床疗效.方法 2008年1月至2010年3月广州市妇女儿童医疗中心手术治疗新生儿先天性心脏病28例,其中2例动脉导管未闭（PDA）患儿行左侧开胸结扎术;1例右室发育不良合并PDA、三尖瓣重度关闭不全患儿行中央分流术;8例室间隔缺损（VSD）患儿行体外循环下VSD修补术;3例主动脉缩窄、1例主动脉弓离断（IAA）患儿行体外循环下主动脉成型术;9例完全性大动脉转位（TGA）患儿中,8例做了Switch手术,其中合并VSD的2例同时做了VSD修补术;1例TGA/IVS PDA行肺动脉banding＋中央分流术,7 d后作了SWITCH手术;3例完全性肺静脉异位连接（TAPVC）纠治;重度肺动脉狭窄3例,肺动脉闭锁1例行右室流出道疏通,佰仁思带单瓣牛心包片重建右室流出道;重症法洛四联症、肺动脉发育不良先行中央分流术,3 d后低氧无法缓解,行右室流出道跨肺动脉瓣环补片扩大术.结果 早期（术后30 d内）无死亡病例,晚期死亡2例：1例为心上型TAPVC,术后因膈肌麻痹、乳糜胸、营养不良衰竭死亡,1例为IAA、VSD、PDA合并主动脉瓣下狭窄患儿,术后因持续严重低心排综合征死亡.26例术后痊愈出院.出院时1例VSD患儿术后膈肌折叠有气促,二氧化碳轻度潴留;2例SWITCH患儿术后肺动脉血流速度稍快;1例右室发育不良、PDA、三尖瓣关闭不全中央分流术后三尖瓣关闭不全中-重度;重度肺动脉狭窄、肺动脉闭锁、重度法洛氏四联症右室流出道疏通术后残余肺动脉轻-中度狭窄3例;VSD合并主动脉畸形术后主动脉仍有轻度狭窄.结论 新生儿重症先天性心脏病手术治疗效果满意.适当把握好手术适应症,选择正确的手术方法,精心细致的围手术期处理是手术成功的关键.术后低心排、肺功能障碍、肾功能衰竭的防治是降低手术后病死率的关键.     

三个月以内婴儿室间隔缺损的外科治疗

目的　总结手术矫治 3个月以内婴儿室间隔缺损的效果。方法　 1999年 6月～ 2 0 0 1年 11月手术治疗 2 0例先天性心脏病室间隔缺损伴肺动脉高压婴儿 ,其中男 12例 ,女 8例。年龄 34～ 10 4d ,平均 (74.6 5± 9.70 )d。体重 3.35～ 7.0 0kg ,平均 (4 .93± 0 .94)kg。室间隔缺损均为单发 ,其中膜周型 16例 ,肺动脉瓣下 4例。 2例合并动脉导管未闭 (PDA) ,1例合并房间隔缺损 (ASD)、PDA及主动脉缩窄 (CoA) ,1例合并ASD和右冠状动脉 右室瘘。所有患儿均在全麻低温体外循环下行Ⅰ期矫治术。结果　术后早期 (30d内 )死亡 1例 (病死率 5 .0 % )。发生并发症者 10例 ,发生率5 0 .0 %。肺不张 4例 ,低心排 2例 ,心律失常 2例 ,肺炎 2例 ,胸腔积液 1例 ,渗漏综合征 1例 ,经治疗后痊愈出院。结论　反复肺炎和肺动脉高压的室间隔缺损婴儿应尽早手术根治。术后应注重呼吸道的管理和出入量的调整     

先天性右位心并复杂心血管畸形的超声诊断

目的观察超声心动图对先天性右位心合并复杂心血管畸形的诊断价值。方法以心血管造影结果为对照,应用超声心动图按节段分析法评价63例先天性右位心合并复杂心血管畸形患儿的心脏解剖结构。结果63例右位心患儿中镜像心28例,右旋心35例。超声心动图和心血管造影对心脏各节段诊断特异性有高度一致性,两方法相比较差异有统计学意义(P>0.05)。超声心动图对心房方位、心室形态、房室连接、心室动脉连接及主动脉位置诊断准确率均大于90%。镜像心大多各节段连接一致,可合并房间隔缺损、室间隔缺损等简单畸形(42.9%),也存在合并肺动脉狭窄的复杂心血管畸形(50%),主要为法洛四联症、右室双出口、单心室;右旋心大多各节段连接不一致,多合并肺动脉狭窄或闭锁的复杂畸形(88.6%)如单心室、右室双出口、大动脉转位、肺动脉闭锁等。结论超声心动图对先天性右位心合并复杂心血管畸形患儿大多能做出明确诊断,可作为右位心诊断的首选或筛选方法。     

Unifocalization and repair of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries

Aim: To correlate anatomic and genetic features of paediatric patients with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect (VSD) and multiple aortopulmonary collateral arteries with surgical outcome.
Methods: 44 consecutive patients aged 33±40 mo underwent either primary one-stage unifocalization ( n =32) or palliative right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction ( n =12) followed by secondary unifocalization and repair ( n =10) based on preoperative morphometric and functional evaluation of pulmonary blood sources. Chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion occurred in 41% of cases. Combined VSD closure during one-stage procedures was guided by an intraoperative pulmonary flow study. Complete repair was accomplished in 35 cases (83%, 95% CI 72–95%). Variables examined included occurrence of confluent intrapericardial pulmonary arteries, central pulmonary arteries, confluent intraparenchymal pulmonary arteries, dominant collateral or pulmonary arteries, and chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion. The sensitivity and specificity of the pulmonary flow study in predicting postoperative pulmonary haemodynamics were also tested.
Results: Eight-year actuarial survival and freedom from reoperation were 85% and 63%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of the pulmonary flow study were 94% and 100%, respectively. None of the anatomical variables examined was significantly related to the outcome of treatment. The only statistically relevant association was detected between survival and occurrence of 22q11.2 microdeletion ( p <0.003). Logistic analysis showed an increased likelihood of positive outcome in relation to first- ( p <0.02) or second-stage ( p <0.04) complete correction.
Conclusion: Morphology of pulmonary blood supply has no major impact on surgical outcome. Pulmonary flow study is a highly specific and sensitive intraoperative test. Chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion remains the only variable significantly affecting survival.     

Unifocalization and repair of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries

AIM: To correlate anatomic and genetic features of paediatric patients with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect (VSD) and multiple aortopulmonary collateral arteries with surgical outcome. METHODS: 44 consecutive patients aged 33 +/- 40 mo underwent either primary one-stage unifocalization (n = 32) or palliative right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction (n = 12) followed by secondary unifocalization and repair (n = 10) based on preoperative morphometric and functional evaluation of pulmonary blood sources. Chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion occurred in 41% of cases. Combined VSD closure during one-stage procedures was guided by an intraoperative pulmonary flow study. Complete repair was accomplished in 35 cases (83%, 95% CI 72-95%). Variables examined included occurrence of confluent intrapericardial pulmonary arteries, central pulmonary arteries, confluent intraparenchymal pulmonary arteries, dominant collateral or pulmonary arteries, and chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion. The sensitivity and specificity of the pulmonary flow study in predicting postoperative pulmonary haemodynamics were also tested. RESULTS: Eight-year actuarial survival and freedom from reoperation were 85% and 63%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of the pulmonary flow study were 94% and 100%, respectively. None of the anatomical variables examined was significantly related to the outcome of treatment. The only statistically relevant association was detected between survival and occurrence of 22q11.2 microdeletion (p < 0.003). Logistic analysis showed an increased likelihood of positive outcome in relation to first- (p < 0.02) or second-stage (p < 0.04) complete correction. CONCLUSION: Morphology of pulmonary blood supply has no major impact on surgical outcome. Pulmonary flow study is a highly specific and sensitive intraoperative test. Chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion remains the only variable significantly affecting survival.     

Gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiographic assessment of the pulmonary artery anatomy in cyanotic congenital heart disease with pulmonary stenosis or atresia: comparison with cineangiography

Pulmonary stenosis (PS) or pulmonary atresia (PA) is an important component of complex cyanotic congenital heart disease, especially in tetrology of Fallot or lesions with ventricular septal defect (VSD)-PS physiology. Management strategy in these patients depends on accurate assessment of PAs and identification of all sources of pulmonary blood flow. X-ray cineangiography is the “gold standard” for this purpose, but it has the inherent risks of an invasive procedure. Gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography (Gd-MRA) has been shown to noninvasively and accurately evaluate various lesions of the vascular system. This study was undertaken to evaluate the accuracy of Gd-MRA compared with cineangiography in the evaluation of pulmonary anatomy. Nineteen patients having complex cyanotic heart disease with PS or PA were included in the study. All patients underwent Gd-MRA and cineangiography. Catheterisation and MRA findings regarding the anatomic variable of interest were analysed for agreement by Bland–Altman analysis. There was total agreement between the two modalities in the delineation of confluent PAs. McGoon’s ratio and the Nakata index, which are standard measures of the adequacy of PA size, also showed excellent agreement between the two modalities. MRA was able to delineate all aorto-pulmonary collaterals in the setting of PA. MRA can delineate all sources of pulmonary blood supply in cyanotic congenital heart disease with PS and/or PA as well as provide accurate assessment of PA size for planning corrective surgery.     

Diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect

Surgical repair of the intracardiac anatomy in patients with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect can be performed today with a low operative mortality. Diagnostic and therapeutic problems in these patients are almost exclusively related to the nature of collateral lung perfusion and associated anomalies of the pulmonary vascular bed. These anomalies are frequently found in patients with major aortopulmonary collateral arteries and include multifocal pulmonary blood supply, hypoplasia, stenosis, or arborization anomalies of the pulmonary arteries. Diagnostic methods must focus on an exact identification of the collateral pulmonary blood supply, the presence and size of central pulmonary arteries, and the connections of the arterial segments. Recent genetic studies have shown that monosomy 22q11.2 is found in 25–32% of children with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect. This microdeletion is significantly more frequent in patients with major aortopulmonary collateral arteries and it seems to be associated with a higher percentage of pulmonary arterial anomalies. During recent years, efforts have concentrated on earlier treatment of patients with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect with combined catheter and surgical interventions. Early establishment of antegrade flow to the central pulmonary arteries stimulates growth of the pulmonary arteries, optimizes the angiographic diagnosis of abnormalities of the pulmonary vascular bed, and allows for the possibility of balloon angioplasty or stenting of the central pulmonary arteries.     

Outcome of pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect during infancy

We evaluated 54 patients with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect who were referred during the first year of life between 1972 and 1992. Particular emphasis was given to the nature of the pulmonary blood supply and its influence on outcome. Ductal supply of confluent pulmonary arteries was present in 30 patients (55.6%, group I), whereas 24 patients (44.4%, group II) had a pulmonary blood supply that was entirely (31.4%) or predominantly (13.0%) dependent on systemic collateral arteries. Over the 20 years these was no significant difference in actuarial survival between the two groups. Corrective surgery was performed in 8 of 30 patients in group I (26.7%)-significantly more than in group II (4 of 24, 16.7%). Arborization abnormalities of the pulmonary arteries (stenosis of unbranched and intrapulmonary arteries) were almost exclusively present in patients with systemic collateral arteries (p<0.03), accounting for the lower probability of undergoing corrective surgery in group II patients. During the first decade of this study (1973–1983) corrective surgery was attempted in 9.6% of patients, with 42% mortality; and during the second decade (1983–1993) surgery was performed in 39.1% of patients, with 26% mortality, a significantly lower figure. Improving surgical results, complete preoperative demarcation of the pulmonary blood supply, and a more aggressive approach with early unifocalization of the pulmonary blood supply may invalidate comparison with retrospective data on the advisability of attempting to correct this anomaly. The present paper provides data against which treatment of infants with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect presenting during the next decade can be compared.     

婴儿先天性心脏病1387例外科治疗结果分析

目的 回顾性分析我院近11年来外科治疗的≤6个月小婴儿先天性心脏病(先心病)1387例,探讨其病种、手术时机和治疗观念的变迁,以期进一步提高小婴儿先心病的就诊和救治率.方法 1997年1月至2007年12月,在我院行手术治疗的≤6个月先心病患儿1387例,主要病种包括:室间隔缺损合并肺动脉高压(VSD/PH)、法洛四联症(TOF)、完全性大动脉转位(TGA)、完全性肺静脉异位引流(TAPVC)、主动脉缩窄或主动脉弓中断合并室间隔缺损[CoA(IAA)/VSD]、右心室双出口(DORV)、合并室间隔缺损的肺动脉闭锁(PA/VSD)、室间隔完整的肺动脉闭锁(PA/IVS)等,根据病情采取相应的手术方法矫治,部分复杂型先心病进行了随访.结果 手术死亡110例,总手术死亡率7.9%.从历年手术治疗分析,手术死亡率1997至2003年为11.5%～14.4%,2004至2005年降至8.6%～&9%,2006至2007年降至3.3%～3.8%.对TGA、TAPVC、TOF、PA/VSD、PA/IVS患儿进行了随访,随访率分别为83.8%(98/117)、87.8%(79/90)、48.2%(68/141)、65%(13/20)和95%(19/20),随访期限为3～86个月.晚期死亡16例.随访中绝大多数患儿无症状,心功能和生长发育正常.结论 绝大部分早期出现症状的危重先心病可以在小婴儿期进行矫治,手术效果接近国际水平.不能进行一期矫治的可以先做姑息手术,改善缺氧、促进肺动脉发育,为以后的根治手术创造条件.     

Hypoplasia of the intrapulmonary arteries in children with right ventricular outflow tract obstruction,ventricular septal defect,and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries

Summary Postmortem injection studies have been carried out on the pulmonary vasculature of four children dying with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect or severe tetralogy of Fallot with major aortopulmonary collateral arteries, in which nearly all bronchopulmonary segments had more than one source of blood supply. Despite regional variations in the source of blood supply, there was remarkable uniformity of arterial size and number within the respiratory unit throughout each case. In all cases, there was a normal number of arterial pathways, but both pre- and intraacinar arteries were considerably smaller than normal. The need for early operative intervention to ensure growth of pre- and particularly intraacinar arteries is emphasized.     

Cyanotic congenital heart disease with decreased pulmonary blood flow in children

Of the "five T's" of cyanotic congenital heart disease--tetralogy of Fallot, TGA, TAPVC, truncus, and tricuspid valve abnormalities (tricuspid atresia, stenosis, and displacement)--the first and last are commonly associated with diminished PBF. The four features that comprise tetralogy of Fallot--right ventricular hypertrophy, VSD, overriding aorta, and subpulmonary stenosis--are all secondary to a single morphogenetic defect: failure of expansion of the subpulmonary conus. This also explains the variability in clinical presentation. When neonates need intervention, shunts are usually performed. Coronary arterial anatomy must be defined before repair, which is usually done after these infants are 3 months of age. Although children with repaired tetralogy of Fallot are not completely "normal," markedly increased longevity and improvement in quality of life can be achieved. When major associated defects are present, such as atrioventricular canal defect, diminutive pulmonary arteries or collateral vessels, or left heart lesions, the prognosis changes from excellent to merely good. Tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve syndrome is physiologically different from other tetralogy of Fallot conditions and characterized primarily by airway obstruction from massive dilatation of the central and perihilar pulmonary arteries; repair with pulmonary artery reduction is necessary. Tricuspid valve abnormalities include atresia, hypoplasia (i.e., pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum), and displacement (i.e., Ebstein anomaly). The pathophysiology that dictates these children's clinical condition (and prognosis) relates to three factors: (1) status of the tricuspid valve, (2) presence and size of a VSD, and (3) TGA or normally related great arteries. Virtually all children with tricuspid valve abnormalities can be palliated; reparative options include repair using two-ventricle, one-ventricle, or 1-1/2 ventricle repair. Children with critical pulmonary stenosis generally have a normal tricuspid valve and right ventricle. Balloon dilation is usually the only therapy necessary.     

Prognosis of children with congenital tricuspid and pulmonary atresia 1967-83 in comparison with the natural course

46 Children with tricuspid atresia, 56 with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect (VSD) and 33 with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum were diagnosed and treated at the University's Children's Hospital Tübingen between 1967 and 83. Their age distribution and mortality is compared to 91 autopsy-proven cases of tricuspid atresia, 123 cases of pulmonary atresia with VSD and 41 cases without VSD, reported in the time between 1783 and 1945 showing the natural history of these malformations. Inspite of intensive medical and operative therapy, the results of which are reported in detail, mortality continues to be high: 55% of our patients with tricuspid atresia die within the first year of life, 60-62% within the first 2 years (in the bibliographical collective 64% and 73%), 53-61% of patients with pulmonary atresia and VSD die within the first, 61-68% within the first 2 years (in the bibliographical collective 74% and 78%), and 78% of patients with pulmonary atresia without VSD within the first year, 88% within the first 2 years of life (in the bibliographic collective 95% and 97%).