[Interventional catheterization in infants and neonates].

Indications for interventional catheterism in new-born and very young infants have been widened through technical progress and clinical experience. Such procedures are still very difficult to perform at this age and many indications are still under debate. Currently interventional catheterism is used for curative treatment of tight pulmonary valve stenosis, the pulmonary stenosis in Fallot's tetrology, clinically threatening aortic valve stenosis in infants or new-borns. Other procedures include vessel dilatations, in particular for coarctation of the aorta, placing vascular stents, closing ductus arteriosus or vascular embolizations. The question of the respective role of surgery versus interventional catheterism remains open for many indications. As progress is made, both techniques remain valid and should be considered as complementary tools for many congenital heart diseases.