What is Pulmonary Atresia?
Pulmonary atresia is a congenital heart defect where the pulmonary valve, which controls blood flow from the heart to the lungs, does not form correctly.
This results in a blockage or absence of the valve, obstructing blood flow to the lungs. As a consequence, the right side of the heart, particularly the right ventricle, may be underdeveloped because it has to work harder to pump blood to the lungs.
Side Effects of Pulmonary Atresia
The side effects of pulmonary atresia can vary depending on the severity and other associated heart defects. Common complications include:
- Cyanosis: A bluish tint to the skin due to low levels of oxygen in the blood.
- Difficulty breathing: Especially during exertion or in stressful situations.
- Heart murmurs: Abnormal sounds heard during a heartbeat examination.
- Risk of infections: Due to compromised blood flow and potential heart valve issues.
How is Pulmonary Atresia Diagnosed?
Pulmonary atresia is typically diagnosed soon after birth or during infancy through:
- Prenatal ultrasound: In some cases, abnormalities may be detected before birth.
- Physical examination: Including listening to the heart for abnormal sounds.
- Echocardiogram: A detailed ultrasound of the heart to visualize the structure and blood flow.
- Cardiac catheterization: Invasive procedure to further assess the heart's structure and function.
Potential Treatment of Pulmonary Atresia
Treatment for pulmonary atresia often depends on the specific anatomy and severity of the condition. Options may include:
- Medication: To manage symptoms such as cyanosis and heart failure.
- Surgical interventions: Such as creating a connection (shunt) between a blood vessel and the pulmonary artery to improve blood flow, or reconstructive surgeries to repair or replace the defective valve.
- Heart catheterization procedures: Used for both diagnostic purposes and to perform interventions without open heart surgery.
- Heart transplant: In severe cases where other treatments are not sufficient.
👉 Contact us for further information and receive a complimentary consultation.
