Tricuspid Atresia
Tricuspid Atresia
Tricuspid Atresia
Tricuspid atresia can also be associated with transposition of the great arteries , where the.
Tricuspid atresia is a single-ventricle lesion, because the heart has only one functioning ventricle
(the left ventricle).
Symptoms
Cyanosis is the appearance of blue to purple coloration of the skin or mucous membranes due to
the tissue near the skin surface having low oxygen saturation. This cyanosis may be noted at
birth, or may only become evident after several days when the ductus arteriosus closes and little
blood flows to the lungs. As the ductus closes the cyanosis worsens. If the cyanosis is severe
enough, the baby will develop symptoms of poor oxygenation such as fast breathing or poor
feeding.
Occasionally, there is an increased amount of blood flow to the lungs. This baby may have little
to no cyanosis but will likely develop congestive heart failure because of this imbalance.
The increased workload on the left ventricle and easier path of blood flow to the lungs causes
them to become engorged with blood and causes fluid to leak from the bloodstream into the air
spaces of the lungs. This condition is called pulmonary edema and makes it harder for a baby
with this condition to breathe comfortably.
The combination of increased heart and lung work uses large amounts of calories and results in
the constellation of symptoms referred to as congestive heart failure (CHF).
The symptoms of congestive heart failure are fast breathing, fast heart rate, sweating with feeds
and poor weight gain.
If there is transposition of the great arteries, the presenting symptoms are related to low blood
flow through the aorta and out to the body. This results in low blood pressure, fast breathing,
poor feeding, cold, clammy hands and feet, and a pale, gray color.
Infants presenting with these symptoms are critically ill and require emergency medical
Chest X-ray. A diagnostic test that uses invisible X-ray beams to produce images
of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
attention.
IV medicines. Prostaglandin E1 may be given to keep the ductus arteriosus open. Other medicines may be
given to help the heart and lungs work better.
Other early treatment may include:
Balloon atrial septostomy. A special catheter with a balloon in the tip is used to create or enlarge an opening
in the wall between the left and right atria (atrial septum). This helps with the flow of blood.
Three surgeries, in stages, may be done. They are:
Blalock-Taussig shunt. This surgery is done on newborns. It varies, depending on the exact defect. A
connection (shunt) is created to allow blood to reach the lungs.
Glenn shunt. This surgery may be done on babies from age 3 to 6 months. A new connection (shunt)
replaces the first shunt. This shunt connects the large blood vessel from the top of the body to the heart (superior
vena cava) to the pulmonary artery. This allows blood to get to the lungs for oxygen.
Fontan procedure. This surgery may be done from age 2 to 3 years. A second connection (shunt) is
made. It allows blood from the large blood vessel from the lower part of the body to the heart to flow to the pulmonary
artery. This surgery varies depending on the exact defect, as well as other factors.
Heart transplant is also a choice, but it is not usually done because it is difficult to find a donor heart. Also the
surgeries to improve blood flow have become more and more successful.