[Postoperative evolution of pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with patent ductus arteriosus at an altitude of 2680 meters above sea level].

INTRODUCTION: Patent ductus arteriosus in Toluca can cause pulmonary hypertension and ranks first surgery of congenital heart disease in Toluca, Mexico.

METHODS: In the period between January 2006 and December 51 patients with patent ductus arteriosus went to surgery: 34 (66.7%) were female. We study the reversibility of pulmonary arterial pressure and the left cavities dilatation after surgical closure of the ductus arteriosus and postoperative complications are described in a population of Toluca, located at an altitude of 2680 meters over the sea.

RESULTS: The reversibility of pulmonary pressure ocurred in 88% of cases. We also observed a decrease in the diameters of the left chambers manifested by a ratio of left atrium/aortic annulus before surgery of 2.0 ± 0.41 SD and after surgery of 1.36 ± 0.25 SD, (p<0.001). The successful closure of the ductus arteriosus was 94.1% immediately and mediate 98.0%. Postoperative complications ocurred in 13.8%, being the main infection and surgical wound hematoma (5.9%), pneumothorax (3.9%), pneumonia (2.0%) and pleural efusion (2.0%).

CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary arterial hypertension secundary to patent ductus arteriosus is reversible in the mayority of cases after surgical closure, including residents of village above 2500 meters over the sea.