Heart Block after Repair of Ventricular Septal Defect in Children

conduction system of the heart to most ventricular septal defects'-5 makes the occur-rence of complete heart block a potential risk in the repair of these lesions. In our experi-ence, when complete heart block has devel-oped, it has often proved to be a serious complication. Although reversion to sinus rhythm occurs in the early postoperative pe-riod in many patients, others have persistent heart block; some of these die either in the immediate postoperative period or at some time after dismissal from the hospital. Of those who survive with complete heart block, some may be symptom-free but a few are troubled with frequent and potentially lethal Stokes-Adams attacks. The purpose of this paper is to review an experience with complete heart block follow-ilng the repair of ventricular septal defect and ventricular septal defect associated with in-fundibular or valvular pulmonic stenosis or with both in the pediatric age group. The data concerning adult patients are not ana-lyzed as yet. We will mention certain changes in surgical technic which seem to have affected the incidence of heart block and will discuss briefly immediate and long-term therapy. Material and Method