Congenital heart disease for the paediatric surgeon

Abstract Congenital heart disease is common and every paediatric surgeon will come across patients with cardiac conditions. The principles of cardiac surgery are discussed, together with the most common situations in which a paediatric surgeon is likely to encounter a cardiac patient. An explanation of common terms and procedures is given, together with recommendations for managing complex cardiac circulations when considering a surgical procedure. The chapter includes explanations of conditions that involve the heart and other organ systems, including atrial isomerism. The paediatric surgeon and cardiac surgeon may occasionally consider joint procedures in certain major abdominal resections or transplantation.