We retrospectively reviewed a series of 20 patients treated with delayed sternal closure during a 5-year period from 1991 to 1996. Of the 2675 patients with cardiovascular su gery 20 underwent this procedure. Male and female ratio was 11:9, mean age was 6.4 months(range 7 days to 5 years). The indications included unstable hemodynamic profiles after open heart surgery due to myocardial edema and poor lung compliance(15), necessity of mechanical ventricular assist device due to weaning failure(3), and hypoxia after PAB(2). Sternum was closed at a mean interval of 102(range 4 to 213) hours after operation. During delayed sternal closure, central venous pressure was elevated(p<0.05). Mediastinitis and other wound problems did not occur. Sepsis developed in 2 patients and microorganism was confirmed in one of the two patients. Five patients died(mortality 25%). And two of 15 discharged patients died during follow-up period. Cumulative survival rate was 65.0% at 12 months and also 65.0% at 24 months.(Standard error was 10.7%) Delayed sternal closure Is considered to be a good method to decompress the hemodynamically compromised heart. Without that, it is not f asible to come off bypass or to decompress the heart. Of course. careful selection of the indication is imperative.