Pulmonary artery banding for ventricular septal defect in infancy

Experiencing with pulmonary artery banding in three ill infants with large ventricular septal defects is reported for the first time from the Commonwealth Caribbean. There was a successful outcome in all three cases. There was a minimal follow-up of one year. It is suggested that the systolic pressure gradient across the band, after a satisfactory steady state has been achieved, may be a useful additional measurement in the evaluation of the resultant haemodynamic state. (AU)

Lobar emphysema of infancy: case report of bilateral involvement with congenital heart disease

The fifth known case of bilateral lobar emphysema of infancy has been presented. This is the first bilateral case to occur in a Negro infant and the first to have associated congenital cardiac defect. The patient was successfully treated by bilateral lobectomies. Data from the previous bilateral cases is presented and the diagnosis and management discussed briefly. Striking similarities between all the cases have been noted and the antero-posterior chest X-ray appearance is pathognomic. The condition although rare should be considered in the differential diagnosis of respiratory distress in infancy (AU)