[Transposition of great arteries (the authors' own experiences in diagnostic procedures and treatment) (author's transl)].

In 18 months since the opening of the Paediatric Institute in Poznań, 20 cases of simple complete transposition of the great arteries were admitted to this hospital. The clinical material consisted of 19 neonates, 3-7 days old, and one 3-month-old infant. All children were in a severe condition, with deep central cyanosis, congestive heart failure and severe metabolic acidosis. Six of them died during the standard diagnostic procedures. Fourteen have been submitted to cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography, and in 13 ballon septostomy was performed. In two children surgical creation of an atrial septal defect was undertaken, in one case--6 months after a successful ballon septostomy. Twelve of the 14 children, in whom an atrial septal defect has been created by means of various methods, are alive and well.