ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effectiveness of early repair in infants with large ventricular septal defect complicated with pneumonia. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 30 infants who underwent emergency operation in our hospital between January 2014 and April 2015. There were 16 males and 14 females at age of 0.9-12.0 (4.6±2.9) months and with weight of 3.0-8.8 (5.6±1.4) kg. They were diagnosed as ventricular septal defect combined with pneumonia as a trial group. There were other 30 patients without pneumonia, 10 males and 20 females, aged of 0.7-19.0 (4.9±4.8) months, weighing 2.6-12 (5.8±2.1) kg, as a control group. All the patients were followed up for 6 months. ResultsOne patient died in the trial group. None died in the control group. There were statistical differences in length of hospital stay (15.73±6.44 d vs. 10.16±2.16 d, P=0.002) and mechanical ventilation time (28.00±15.72 h vs.12.17±9.10 h, P=0.000) between the trial group and the control group. There was no statistical difference in aortic cross-clamping time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, or CICU residence time (P > 0.05). All the patients were followed up for 6 months. Incidence of pneumonia reduced, growth status and exercise tolerance significantly improved. ConclusionEmergency operation for the infants who suffered from ventricular septal defect with severe pneumonia is efficient and effective. Early mechanical ventilation may be beneficial to the procedure.