Congenital Aortic Stenosis

Ten years ago congenital aortic stenosis was generally considered to be uncommon and seldom to carry a grave prognosis. The severity of obstruction of left ventricular outflow could not be directly assessed and suitable surgical procedures for its correction were not available. The changing concepts in respect to this malformation are reflected in the series of 30 patients described. The lesion was found to be relatively common and frequently serious. The severity and site of obstruction could be precisely evaluated and a physiologic basis was provided for the selection of patients for operation providing direct exposure of the aortic valve.