[Aortopulmonary window. The need for early surgical correction]

The diagnosis of aortopulmonary window may be problematical. In 7 patients who had undergone operative closure of an aortopulmonary window the diagnostic and operative techniques, the operative findings, and the postoperative course were retrospectively determined. It appeared that the diagnosis is difficult and that cardiac catheterization with angiocardiography is the most accurate diagnostic technique. Good results of operative correction depend on the timing of the operation (preferably before the first year of life), the operative technique, and the severity of additional anomalies of the heart and great vessels. Delay of surgical correction leads to pulmonary hypertension, caused by irreversible pulmonary vascular disease.