[The aortopulmonary window. A report of 4 cases]

The aortopulmonary window is a rare congenital disease in which the aorta and pulmonary arteries are communicated by a defect of variable diameter. We review the clinical picture, diagnosis, associated lesions and treatment of four patients with this disease in a period between 1980 and 1990. Two patients had a distal and two a proximal type. There were associated lesions in three patients: Aortic arch interruption type A, patent ductus arteriosus, subaortic stenosis and a ventricular defect. All patients underwent surgical correction of a communication between 12 and 15 mm of diameter. We discuss diagnostic problems and treatment of this congenital disease.