ABSENT PULMONARY VALVE SYNDROME WITH INTACT VENTRICULAR SEPTUM - ROLEOF DUCTUS-ARTERIOSUS REVISITED

We report two patients (four and twelve days old respectively) with he art failure due to absent pulmonary valve and patent ductus arteriosus . The ductus arteriosus in both patients had unusual course arising ea rly from the aortic arch and maintaining an acute angle with the aorti c arch. The etiology of absent pulmonary valve syndrome is still not c lear. We speculate on the role of arterial duct in the development of absent pulmonary valve syndrome. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd .