The clinical evolution of shunt-operations for morbus caeruleus: Results of 150 operations, in a long-term follow-up

Abstract

This paper reports a study of the long-term results of 150 operations for congenital cyanosis in 141 patients. All living patients, except one, were reexamined in 1956 or 1957. A preoperative prognosis was made, taking various factors (age, hemoglobin content, electrocardiogram, roentgenogram, etc.) into account. In those cases having a favorable preoperative prognosis, 90 per cent had good postoperative results, one third of which were excellent, the mortality being 4 per cent. The mortality was 10 times higher in cases with unfavorable preoperative prognosis. The cases in which the Potts operation was used were the most successful. The successful postoperative results obtained from the three operations used (Potts, Blalock, and Brock procedures) were seen to be durable during the years that followed. In general, the postoperative modifications in the clinical signs, the electrocardiograms, and the roentgenograms were stabilized within the first two years after the operation. Some patients, even after a period of several years, were considered to have normal cardiac function, according to their performance in a cardiac function test that is described in the text.