SPONTANEOUS CLOSURE OF A VENTRICULAR SEPTAL DEFECT AFTER PULMONARY ARTERY BANDING

A case is reported of spontaneous anatomic closure of a ventricular septal defect after surgical banding of the pulmonary artery. Diagnosis of this occurrence by cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography prior to the removal of the band avoided the necessity of performing a ventriculotomy. The importance is stressed of cardiac catheterization immediately prior to the banding procedure and again before removal of the band in order to assess the status of the ventricular septal defect. Before recommending pulmonary artery banding for moderate-sized ventricular septal defects, the possibility of spontaneous closure should be considered. © 1969 The C. V. Mosby Company.