CONGENITAL PULMONARY ARTERY BRANCH STENOSIS

Thirty cases of congenital stenosis of the branch pulmonary arteries are presented. This defect occurred as an isolated cardiovascular anomaly in 17 of the 30 patients. Clinically the most significant diagnostic feature was the wide distribution of the murmur, which was seldom louder than grade 3 6. It is suggested that auscultation at the axillas and the back should be included in the routine evaluation of the cardiovascular system. Data are presented which suggest that comparing the rate of rise of the prestenotic with the poststenotic pressure pulse may differentiate organic from functional pressure gradients. Some pitfalls in the interpretation of the hemodynamic data are discussed. © 1969.