The management of Patent Ductus Arteriosus[PDA] with heart failure and cardiac cachexia in premature infants have been a disturbing and controversial problem in the field of pediatric cardiovascular surgery.We analysed our experiences to determine the rationale of surgical closure of PDA in infants . During a period of 7 years from January 1986 to December 1992, 12 infants under 2 months of age underwent operations for "hemodynamically significant" PDA which had caused severe heart failure.There were 6 male and 6 female patients. Their mean gestational age was 33.8 weeks and their mean body weight was 1990 g. ranged from 710 g. to 2900 g. Mean age at operation was 28.5days. Seven patients had history of Indomethacin trial. All patients were operated with double ligation technique under general anesthesia.There was no mortality and blood transfusion was not necessary in any patient during the operation.In all cases, we could confirm the complete closure of PDA after operation by follow-up echocardiography.Two patients died during their hospital stay and 1 patient died at 6 months after operation. The causes of death were sepsis with congestive heart failure, necrotizing entero colitis and pneumonia respectively.We can not detect any operation related complication which resulted in permanent sequelae as well as delayed complications related to nerve damage. These results indicate that surgical ligation of PDA in infants with severe heart failure is relatively safe and effective.effective.