title: [Aortopulmonary window: clinical assessment and surgical results].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aortopulmonary septal defect is an uncommon congenital cardiac anomaly. To date, approximately 300 cases have been reported. We present our experience, emphasizing the importance of early correction to avoid irreversible pulmonary hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1979 and 2000, seven patients underwent surgical repair of this heart defect in our hospital. Two had type I (proximal), 4 had type II (distal) and 1 had type III (complete). Complex associated cardiac anomalies were present in 4 cases: type A interruption of the aortic arch in 2 cases, hypoplastic aortic arch in 1 and transposition of great arteries with ventricular septal defect in 1. Four cases (57%) were diagnosed by echocardiography. In all patients diagnoses were confirmed by cardiac catheterization. Patient records were reviewed retrospectively, with special attention to clinical, echocardiographic and hemodynamic data as well as surgical characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No intraoperative deaths occurred. The patient with associated transposition of great arteries died 22 days after surgery as a result of severe pulmonary hypertension. The remaining patients are asymptomatic without treatment after a mean follow-up period of 69 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even though aortopulmonary septal defect is a rare anomaly, it should be considered whenever the course of complex congenital heart disease includes early cardiac failure and pulmonary hypertension. Repair before 6 months will prevent irreversible damage of pulmonary vessels.
authors.affiliation: Secciones de Cardiología y Hemodinámica, Hospital Infantil Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla. aamoruno@supercable.es
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moruno Tirado
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Santos De Soto
authors.forename: Josefina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grueso Montero
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gavilán Camacho
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alvarez Madrid
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gil Fournier
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Descalzo Señorans
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000601:surgery*; D001011:Aorta / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies