Surgical creation of aortopulmonary window in selected patients with pulmonary atresia with poorly developed aortopulmonary collaterals and hypoplastic pulmonary arteries.

Objective: The morphologic characteristics of the pulmonary circulation vary widely in patients with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect, and major aortopulmonary collaterals. Although we favor single-stage unifocalization and complete repair as the procedure of choice, a subgroup of patients who meet specific criteria have been treated with initial surgical creation of an aortopulmonary window.

Methods: Eighteen patients who were considered unsuitable candidates for single-stage repair underwent surgical creation of an aortopulmonary window.