[Surgical treatment of complex congenital heart defect in children and infants]

From January 1982 to June 1990, 2730 patients with congenital heart defects (CHDs) were treated. 537 patients had complex lesions. Fifty of them died, a mortality rate of 9.31%. The operative age ranged from 2 days to 11 years (mean 3.16 +/- 1.68 years), and weight from 2.2 kg to 29 kg (mean 12.2 +/- 3.99 kg). Repair with deep hypothermia plus circulatory arrest was performed in 58 patients, moderate hypothermia plus cardio pulmonary bypass in 459, and normal thermic bypass in 8. The clinical experience concludes that an accurate diagnosis should be made promptly in neonates with complex CHDs. In the cyanotic neonates, surgical results can be improved by use of PGE1 and balloon atrial septostomy. For congestive CHDs, operation must be performed earlier to prevent pulmonary hypertension.