ABSTRACT
The surgical treatment of congenital heart defects has progressed at a rapid rate since its beginning more than half a century ago. Numerous technical achievements have been made possible by advances in many fields. Precise knowledge of anatomy and physiology, detailed noninvasive diagnostic capabilities, better perfusion and myocardial preservation techniques, and improved neonatal intensive care have all played major roles in allowing the management of congenital heart disease to progress to this extent. Nearly all congenital heart defects are now amenable to surgical repair. This chapter discusses the pathophysiology underlying some of the cardiac defects more commonly encountered by the pediatric cardiac surgeon and covers the physiologic rationales behind their treatment.
