[Neonatal hypoxic myocardial lesion]

Five patients suffering from transient myocardial ischemia of the newborn are discussed. The role of two-dimensional doppler-echocardiography is emphasized in establishing the diagnosis. Tricuspid insufficiency due to perinatal asphyxia can be detected easier by ultrasound than by any other cardiac examination. Cardiac failure as a result of hypoxic myocardial ischemia is usually reversible and responds well to anticongestive treatment and administration of oxygen. On the other hand some cases can be fatal, histopathologic examination on the heart shows similarity to myocardial infarction.