Trans--pulmonary arterial repair of supracristal ventricular septal defects in infancy.

Five patients aged 2 months to 2 years with isolated large supracristal ventricular septal defect (VDS) and severe pulmonary hypertension had corrective operation between April, 1978, and November, 1979, performed via a trans--pulmonary arterial approach. This technique provided excellent exposure for accurate placement of sutures, especially between the two semilunar valves. All patients are well, with no residual defects, and their postoperative electrocardiograms (ECGs) do not show any intraventricular conduction abnormality. The technique is especially useful in the presence of severe pulmonary hypertension, wherein ventriculotomy is best avoided and the dilated main pulmonary artery offers excellent access.