Cardiovocal syndrome in infancy.

Chronic hoarseness is a rare presenting or accompanying sign of congestive heart failure in infancy. Two infants had a paralyzed left vocal cord, secondary to traction on their left recurrent laryngeal nerve. Both had significant underlying congenital heart disease (type 2 aortopulmonary window, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus; large ventricular septal defect). After surgical repair of their congenital heart defect, both infants had normal vocal cord function. Direct laryngoscopy is necessary to diagnose the cause of persistent hoarseness in infancy. If a paralyzed left vocal cord is found, a comprehensive cardiovascular diagnostic work-up is warranted.