title: Surgical intervention in neonates with critical pulmonary stenosis.
abstract: The surgical experience with 18 consecutive neonates with critical pulmonary stenosis (PS) and intact ventricular septum was reviewed. All patients had cardiac catheterization with calculation of right ventricular volume. Group A patients (N = 8) had a small right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV less than 72% of predicted). Group B patients (N = 10) had a normal or enlarged RVEDV. All patients had a closed pulmonary valvotomy. Five Group A patients required a systemic-pulmonary shunt or prostaglandin (PGE1) after operation; one patient died. Nine Group B patients did well after valvotomy; one moribund patient died after valvotomy and shunt. Six of 16 survivors required reoperation: valvectomy in four patients and shunt takedown in two patients. Four of the six patients who had reoperation also had a transannular patch. There was one unrelated late death. All long-term survivors are asymptomatic. Recatheterization in four patients with a small right ventricle (RV) documented significant RV growth. In conclusion, most neonates with critical PS can be managed with closed valvotomy. Patients with a small RV may require PGE1 or a shunt after operation for persistent hypoxemia. Some patients with a small RV will have significant RV growth after valvotomy.
mesh_terms: D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008722:Methods; D011379:Prognosis; D011666:Pulmonary Valve Stenosis / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery*