Anastomoses between Aorta and Right Pulmonary Artery (Waterston) in Neonates

Abstract

An anastomosis between the aorta and right pulmonary artery (Waterston operation) was constructed in 10 infants with severe cyanosis within 10 days after birth. Diagnoses after cardiac catheterization and cineangiography were pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (five cases), pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (two), pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and transposition of the great arteries (one), tetralogy of Fallot (one) and tricuspid atresia with intact ventricular septum (one). One infant died five hours after operation and did not have a patent anastomosis. Four infants died six to 14 weeks after operation (two, who had associated lesions, died from chronic congestive heart failure, and two, who were seemingly well, died unexpectedly at home). Five patients are alive five to 23 months after operation. Four are asymptomatic, and one has intermittent respiratory problems. The Waterston operation is a successful, palliative procedure in newborn infants with obstructive lesions of the right side of the heart who require a systemic-pulmonary arterial shunt for survival.