Objective:To summarize and evaluate emergency and sub-emergency cardiac operations on congenital heart defects in children.Method:From January 2002 to April 2008

emergency and sub-emergency cardiac operations were performed on 172 children(105 males

67 females) with critical congenital heart defects.The age was 5 days～33 months(mean 10.2 ± 8.7 months)

and the weight was 2.7 ~13.6 kg(mean 8.2 ± 4.8 kg).Thepreoperative situation included recurrent respiratory infection or congestive heart failure(113 cases)

severe hypoxemia(62 cases) and other critical conditions(5 cases).Corrective operations were performed on 149 cases and palliative operations on 23 cases.Results:The early postoperative mortality was 8.7%(15/172).The duration of intubation was 5 hours～31 days(mean 3.1±4.9 days)

and the ICU stay time was 2 ~31 days(mean 5.8 ± 2.5 days).Postoperative low cardiac output syndrome was observed in 19 cases

atelectasis in 12 cases

lung infection in 35 cases

worsened pulmonary hypertension in 5cases

and pleural effusion in 5 cases.There were 2 late deaths during follow-up period of 2~73 months.The postoperative cardiac function of the 155 survivals was restored to grade I~II(NYHA).Conclusion:Emergency and sub-emergency cardiac operations on critical congenital heart defects in children are necessary and feasible.Good results can be achieved with appropriate perioperative management and surgical technique.