The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 29, 272-288, Copyright © 1980 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Preoperative diagnosis and management of infants with critical congenital heart disease
TP Graham Jr and HW Bender Jr
Operative repair with an associated low morbidity and mortality is
available now for most infants with congenital cardiac defects. Precise
preoperative diagnosis is an essential part of continuing attempts to lower
the operative risk for these patients. In this review we cover major areas
of concern in regard to preoperative diagnosis and management. Long-term
follow-up studies with clinical, hemodynamic, electrophysiological, and
exercise data are required to assess current diagnostic and therapeutic
practices.