Pulmonary atresia
Alternate Names : Pulmonary atresia - intact ventricular septum, PA/IVS
Treatment
A medicine called prostaglandin E1 is usually used to help the blood move (circulate) into the lungs. This medicine keeps a blood vessel open between the pulmonary artery and aorta. The vessel is called a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Other treatments include: - Heart catheterization to repair the problem
- Open heart surgery to repair or replace the valve, or to place a tube between the right ventricle and the pulmonary (lung) arteries
- Reconstructing the heart as a single ventricle (for some patients)
- Heart transplant
Prognosis (Expectations)
Most cases can be helped with surgery. However, how well a baby does depends on: - Quality of the blood vessels supplying the heart
- How well the heart is beating
- Amount of leakiness of the other heart valves
Outcomes can vary because of the different forms of this defect. The baby could have only a single catheter-based procedure, or could need three or more surgeries and have only a single working ventricle. The outcome is difficult to predict without knowing all details about the patient's condition.
Complications
- Delayed growth and development
- Seizures
- Stroke
- Infectious endocarditis
- Heart failure
- Death
Calling Your Health Care Provider
Call your health care provider if the baby has: - Problems breathing
- Skin or nails that appear blue (cyanosis)
|
Previous
