Surgical management of aortopulmonary window.
OBJECTIVE
Aortopulmonary window is a rare congenital malformation involving a window-like communication between the ascending aorta and the pulmonary artery. Here, we present our experience regarding the surgical repair of an aortopulmonary window, and also assess the long-term outcome.


METHODS
Thirteen children with an aortopulmonary window associated with various congenital lesions underwent a repair of the defect. The age at operation ranged from 3 days to 1 year (median age, 19 days). The patient's weight ranged from 2.1 to 7.0 kg (mean weight, 3.6 kg). The associated lesions included an interrupted aortic arch (5 patients), a ventricular septal defect (2), an atrial septal defect (1), mitral valve regurgitation (1), and tricuspid atresia [Ic] with mitral valve regurgitation (1). The aortopulmonary window was repaired with a cardiopulmonary bypass in 11 patients, and 2 patients were ligated without a cardiopulmonary bypass.


RESULTS
One patient associated with tricuspid atresia died (mortality rate of 7.7%). There has been no late death during a mean follow-up of 7 years and 3 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The surgical results for an aortopulmonary window are encouraging, even if such patients are associated with major cardiac anomalies and an interrupted aortic arch. Most have shown a good long-term outcome.
Tanoue
Y
Y
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kyushu Kosei-Nenkin Hospital, Kitakyushu, Japan.
Sese
A
A
Ueno
Y
Y
Joh
K
K
D001011:Aorta / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018785:Tricuspid Atresia / Q000150:complications