[Scoliosis and congenital cardiopathies]

Abstract

The authors have followed up 26 children suffering from severe scoliosis associated with congenital heart disease up to the end of puberty. The curve was usually a very severe idiopathic scoliosis developing early and requring surgical treatment. Two types may be distinguished: I. Scoliosis without excessive surgical risk, in patients in whom the heart disease is not associated with cyanosis or where the heart condition has already been treated surgically and in which there are no clinical, radiological or electrical signs of cardiac failure. 2. Scoliosis with considerable surgical risk because of heart disease with cyanosis not treated surgically, or with signs of heart failure or pulmonary hypertension. In such cases, the surgical treatment of the scoliosis is likely to endanger life.