[Congenital cerebral arterio-venous fistula with congestive heart failure in the newborn (author's transl)].

Two newborns with cogestive heart failure due to a congenital arterio-venous fistula involving the great vein of Galen are described. The main diagnostic criteria of this anomaly are a hyperactive heart, bounding carotid artery pulses, and a continuous murmur over the skull. The anomaly was visualized by cerebral angiography. In view of the frequent complications such as the development of hydrocephalus, operative treatment seems indicated.