[The surgical correction of a venous sinus defect of the heart]

The authors analyze their experiences with surgical treatment of 33 patients aged from 3 years 10 months to 44 years having a defect of the venous cardiac sinus. In all the cases a modified method of septoplasty was used. There were no lethal outcomes after the correction by the method proposed. Two patients had complications: transient atrio-ventricular blockade with the recovery of the sinus rhythm on the 11th day after operation and right ventricle insufficiency at the nearest postoperative period. At later terms from 1 to 11 years 22 patients were examined. After catheterization of heart cavities which was fulfilled on 12 patients the pressure gradient between the vena cava superior and the right auricle was found in 3 patients and was not more than 5 mm Hg. Recanalization of the defect was detected in 1 patient. The method recommended is considered by the authors to allow effective correction of the defect of the venous sinus of the heart.