Question 1

My 80-day-old baby girl has a 3.2mm PDA heart hole. Will this heal on its own with medicine, or does she need surgery? What are the chances of it closing naturally?

Accepted Answer

CTVS opinion advise.

Question 2

My daughter is 40 days old and was diagnosed with a single large VSD leading to a single ventricle, severe PAH, and normally related great arteries. The pulmonary artery is dilated from the right side of the ventricle and unrestricted, with mild AR and moderate left AVVR plus mild right AVVR. The doctor said it's very complex and critical, recommending multistage palliation. Are there any alternative surgeries instead of multiple operations? It's so overwhelming to think about her going through so many procedures.

Accepted Answer

It is understandable that you are overwhelmed by the prospect of multiple surgeries for your 40-day-old daughter. While the situation is complex and requires multistage palliation, there may be some alternative approaches to consider, such as interventional catheterization for certain aspects of her condition. However, the final decision should be made in consultation with her cardiologist and cardiac surgeon, taking into account the specifics of her anatomy and physiology.

Question 3

I'm really worried about my baby girl. She's only 2 months old and was born preterm at 35 weeks. The doctors say she has a 6mm VSD, 3mm ASD, and moderate PDA, all left to right shunt. Her weight is 3.5kg right now. We've spoken to 23 pediatric cardiologists and they all recommend surgery, but were confused about the timing. Some say it should be done immediately, others suggest before she turns 6 months, or when she reaches 1 year and weighs about 10kg. Right now, she seems to be okayshe's gaining weight, feeding well, and has no symptoms related to the VSD. We just want to make the right decision for her. When would be the best time for the surgery?

Accepted Answer

In the case of your daughter with VSD, ASD, and PDA, the decision for surgical correction depends on various factors such as the size of the defects, the presence of symptoms, and the overall health of the baby. Since your daughter is currently asymptomatic and is gaining weight normally, the timing of the surgery can be a bit more flexible. Considering the moderate size of the defects and the left to right shunt, it is generally recommended to wait until the baby is a bit older and bigger before considering surgery. Most pediatric cardiologists suggest performing the surgery before the baby reaches 1 year of age or weighs around 10kg. This allows for the baby to grow and develop, making the surgery safer and potentially reducing the risk of complications. It is important to continue monitoring your daughter closely for any signs of distress or worsening symptoms. Regular follow-ups with the pediatric cardiologist are crucial to track the progress of the defects and determine the optimal timing for the surgical correction.

See a specialist for accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment.

More Paediatric Cardiology Health Queries

My 80-day-old baby girl has a 3.2mm PDA heart hole. Will this heal on its own with medicine, or does she need surgery? What are the chances of it closing naturally?

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