Prospective screening for PNP revealed an incidence in children younger than 1 year of 6%. Early plication substantially reduces the duration of ventilation, with its associated reduced morbidity and ICU stay.

Despite two different initial palliative techniques the outcome was not significantly different. Accessory pulsatile blood flow appeared not to be a contra-indication for a completion Fontan procedure. Moreover, the data suggest that after accessory pulsatile flow can safely be performed, at late follow-up oxygen saturation is higher, while, significantly more and earlier completion of Fontan occurred. Age at bi-directional cavopulmonary shunt, basic left or right ventricular anatomy or previous palliative surgery did not influence survival.

The downregulation of ex vivo pro- and, to some extent, anti-inflammatory cytokine production may be a reflection of a cellular stress response, induced by anaesthesia, cardiopulmonary bypass and surgery.

Pulmonary venous obstruction after surgical correction of total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage (TAPVD) is a serious condition. Pulmonary venous obstruction can be the result of a primary developmental error or is due to post-operative anastomotic stricture and is usually manifest within 6 months of surgery. Prompt restudy is indicated and if a stricture is present, urgent surgical relief is indicated. However, the results are often disappointing with a high early mortality and a significant chance of restenosis.