Analysis of hospital mortality of patients with congenital heart defects in the 1st year of life

: Causes of mortality were analysed in a group of 122 patients with congenital heart disease in their first year of life following conservative management, closed surgery and operations under assisted circulation. Fatal outcomes were predetermined by a severe congenital defect in 18.2% of the patients, while in the remaining cases they could basically have been prevented by means of a timely primary diagnosis and referral to a specialized clinical institution, accurate topical diagnosis, correct assessment of the severity of the patients' condition and improved post-operative intensive care.