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C. Walton Lillehei, PhD, MD; Ray C. Anderson, MD; Yang Wang, MD

JAMA. 1968;205(12):822-827.

Abstract
We studied by preoperative and postoperative catheterization 162 unselected patients having surgical closure of ventricular septal defects; 135 patients (83%) had completely closed defects, and 27 patients (17%) had residual shunts. Almost uniform reduction of the preexisting elevated pulmonary pressures and reversion to a normal pulmonary flow were consistent findings. Approximately 93% of the patients with closed defects were asymptomatic, compared to only 15% who were asymptomatic preoperatively. A postoperative systolic murmur may be compatible with complete closure, but a persistent systolic thrill usually indicates a residual shunt. Periodic postoperative recatheterization in eight patients with significant pulmonary vascular disease prior to closure indicated that seven have improved progressively over the years studied. Only two patients in this entire group of 162 showed a progression in their pulmonary vascular disease following ventricular septal defect closure.

Author Affiliations
From the departments of surgery, pediatrics, and medicine, University of Minnesota Medical Center and Variety Club Heart Hospital, Minneapolis. Dr. Lillehei is now with the Department of Surgery, Cornell University Medical Center—New York Hospital, New York.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to 525 E 6th St, New York 10021 (Dr. Lillehei).

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