CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION IN ADULT CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE—A Preliminary Report

The diagnosis of uncomplicated ventricular septal defect and uncomplicated patent ductus arteriosus presents few hazards. Differential diagnosis of atrial septal defect and of transposed pulmonary veins is technically more difficult. The complex nature of most types of cyanotic congenital heart disease requires the combined use of catheterization, determination of circulation times, ventilation studies, and possibly angiocardiography. Reports of eight cases in which cardiac catheterization was carried out illustrate the common forms of acyanotic and cyanotic heart disease and the factors in diagnosis. Images