Pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect: report of the oldest known surviving case.

The case of a 54-year-old housewife, oldest published survivor with pulmonary atresia and a ventricular septal defect (pseudotruncus arteriosus), is reported. Her remarkably favorable course is likely related to the absence of progressive hemodynamic changes, with moderate pulmonary flow adequate for nearly normal arterial oxygenation yet without increasing pulmonary vascular resistance. This case reemphasizes the relationship of longevity to pulmonary blood flow volume with this defect.