Blalock shunt: procedure of choice in infants

This report summarizes our experience in 39 infants less than three months of age who underwent a Blalock anastomosis. Mortality in the 16 infants under one week of age was 25% (4/16) and the overall mortality was 26% (10/39). Early patency was 87% (34/39) and late, 83% (24/29). No patient developed congestive heart failure or pulmonary hypertension. For the infant with diminished pulmonary blood flow, the Blalock shunt is the procedure of choice.