[Cardiac catheterisation and angiocardiography in evaluation of congenital heart anomalies (author's transl)]. / Cewnikowanie serca, angiokardiografia i kineangiografia w ocenie wad wrodzonych serca

The material presented here was collected during 18 months since the Pediatric Institute in Poznan was opened. 252 children with congenital heart diseases were admitted to this institution. 152 children were over 12 months, and 100 were under 12 months old; 34 of them were less than 6 months old. 82 children were admitted for cardiac catheterization, angiocardiography or cine-angiocardiography. Below the age of 6 months the condition of the infants, endangering their life, was an indication for cardiac catheterization. In this age group catheterization and especially angiocardiography was not well tolerated by the small patients, but it was necessary to perform ballon septostomy in the transposition of the great arteries, or to establish definite indications for surgery. 5 children of this group died 48 hours after cardiac catheterization. The authors suggest that, in order to obtain better results, infants with cardiac malformations and in a condition endangering their life should be admitted as early as possible to hospitals where diagnostic and surgical services are working on continuous duty. This is not always possible because of technical and personnel difficulties.

[Transposition of great arteries (the authors' own experiences in diagnostic procedures and treatment) (author's transl)]. / Doswiadczenia wlasne w diagnostyce i leczeniu calkowitego przelozenia wielkich naczyn

In 18 months since the opening of the Paediatric Institute in Poznan, 20 cases of simple complete transposition of the great arteries were admitted to this hospital. The clinical material consisted of 19 neonates, 3-7 days old, and one 3-month-old infant. All children were in a severe condition, with deep central cyanosis, congestive heart failure and severe metabolic acidosis. Six of them died during the standard diagnostic procedures. Fourteen have been submitted to cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography, and in 13 ballon septostomy was performed. In two children surgical creation of an atrial septal defect was undertaken, in one case--6 months after a successful ballon septostomy. Twelve of the 14 children, in whom an atrial septal defect has been created by means of various methods, are alive and well.