The significance of the lung biopsy in congenital cardiovascular malformations

The microscopic changes of pulmonary arteries in 18 patients with congenital cardiovascular malformations were studied on lung biopsies and appreciated by the Heath-Edwards' scale. A correlation between the nature of the malformation and the patient's age on the one hand, and the severity of arterial lesions on the other hand, was observed, suggesting the utility of the lung biopsy for a better prognosis of the surgical corrective intervention. The role of inflammatory factors in the genesis of arterial changes leading to hypertension is also discussed.