Your heart is the chief primary pump of your body, its main function being to pump and circulate oxygenated blood all through your body and deoxygenated blood back to the lungs for removal. The heart is a pump, with heart valves that allow blood to flow in a single direction throughout the heart. There are four valves that determine the flow of blood through the heart. A heart valve can either open or close based on the changes in blood pressure. The heart drains into the aorta (supplying oxygenated blood to the whole body) from the left side and the pulmonary artery to the right side (supplying deoxygenated blood to the lungs to get re-oxygenated). The aorta and the pulmonary arteries are known as the great arteries of the heart.
What is an arterial switch operation ?
An arterial switch operation is a surgery done to reverse transposition of the great arteries exiting the heart (TGA) with or without ventricular septal defect (VSD). This procedure typically must be done in the first week of life itself.
What is the procedure for an arterial switch operation ?
A median sternotomy (incision through the midline of the chest) has to be done. The baby will then be placed on cardiopulmonary bypass (or a heart-lung machine). Both the great arteries, the aorta and pulmonary artery are divided. A step called the Lecompte maneuver is performed, wherein the pulmonary artery is brought in front of, the aorta. The aorta is then sutured onto the previous pulmonary artery root (now it becomes the “neoaortic” root). From the patient’s own pericardium (the sac surrounding the heart), the old aortic root is reconstructed to form the “neopulmonary” root. The pulmonary arteries are then attached to the “neopulmonary” root, finishing the arterial switch portion of the operation. The atrial septal defect (ASD) and ventricular septal defect (VSD), if present, are also simultaneously closed. Rarely, the chest is left open and the incision is patched up with a piece of Gore-Tex. The chest is then later closed as usual, a day or two later.
What is the typical post-operative care for the arterial switch operation ?
The length of the surgery can vary from between 4 to 5 hours. Most children will return to the Cardiovascular Care Center post surgery with a breathing tube to assist breathing, an arterial line to watch blood pressure, a venous line (for giving IV medicines and drawing blood for lab tests), chest tubes to drain fluid, a foley catheter to drain urine, and rarely, temporary pacemaker wires. The breathing tube is usually taken out within the first few days following surgery, once the patient is stable. The arterial line is then removed once the breathing tube is out and if the IV medicines can be stopped. Chest tubes are usually removed 1-2 days after surgery, once the drainage of fluid has dwindled. A child will stay in the hospital for 10-14 days after an arterial switch operation.
How to find and reach pediatric heart surgeons for arterial switch operation ?
Now you can find pediatric heart surgeons for arterial switch operation from different hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions from multiple pediatric heart surgeons, cost estimates for arterial switch operation from different hospitals, compare things and then choose a pediatric heart surgeon for arterial switch operation.
Find a pediatric heart surgeon for arterial switch operation on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
