[Heart conotruncal malformations. Significance of conal development and connection].

In order to improve clarity in definition and classification 320 cases of conotruncal malformations were examined. At present time the hypothesis of conal development (Van Praagh 1972) and the segmental approach to diagnosis contributed the most to better understanding and differentiation. In complex defects the identification of cardiac segments and spatial relations of their components is not sufficient for classification. On the basis of ventriculoarterial connection a classification is easily to achieve.