[Total anomalous infra-cardiac pulmonary venous connection. Value of the color Doppler echocardiography].

A case of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection is described in a newborn. The pulmonary veins join a common trunk entering portal vein below the diaphragm. The pattern of pulmonary venous connections was identified by two-dimensional Doppler color flow-mapping echocardiography. The common pulmonary venous trunk was anastomosed to the left atrium at the age of 3 weeks but the infant died because of pulmonary hypertension and acute renal insufficiency. The Doppler color echocardiography allows a good preoperative evaluation. The spontaneous prognosis being poor, surgical correction is indicated and should be performed early, even for critically ill neonates. Patients who survive to childhood lead active and full lives.