Congenital heart defect corrective surgery

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Cardiac catheterization	Heart, front view	Heart, section through the middle	Patent ductus arteriosis (PDA) - series
Ultrasound, normal fetus - heartbeat	Ultrasound, normal fetus - heartbeat

Atrial septal defect (ASD) repair

• The atrial septum is the wall between the left and right atria (upper chambers) of the heart. There is a natural opening prior to birth that usually closes spontaneously. When the defect fails to close, a child is left with an ASD.
• ASDs may possibly be closed in the heart catheterization lab with two small umbrella-shaped "clamshell" devices placed on both the right and left side of the septum. The two devices are attached together, closing the hole in the heart. This procedure is still in the experimental phase, and is performed only in select centers.
• Surgical repair is a well-accepted treatment for ASD. The septum is closed using sutures or covered with a patch made of membrane or synthetic material.

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) repair

• The ventricular septum is the wall between the left and right ventricles (lower chambers) of the heart. A hole in the ventricular septum is called a VSD.
• Small defects usually close on their own -- 90% by age 8 -- and do not require surgery. Larger defects or those causing heart failure require surgical repair with a synthetic patch.

Tetralogy of Fallot repair

• Tetralogy of Fallot is a complex congenital heart defect with a range of severity that requires surgical correction, typically between 6 months and 2 years of age.
• Types of repairs vary related to the specific defects. The ventricular septal defect is closed as described above. The pulmonary valve is opened and the thickened muscle (stenosis) is removed. A patch may be placed on the right ventricle to improve circulation to the lungs.

Transposition of the great vessels repair

• The aorta normally comes from the left side of the heart, and the pulmonary artery normally comes from the right side. Transposition of the great vessels occurs when these arteries come from the opposite sides of the heart from where they should.
• Transposition of the great vessels requires surgical correction. If possible, this surgery is performed shortly after birth. The most common repair is an arterial switch. The aorta and pulmonary artery are divided. The pulmonary artery is connected to the right ventricle, where it belongs, and the aorta is connected to the left ventricle, where it belongs.