What is Pulmonary Atresia?


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Thu, September 11, 2008

The use of Paxil by mothers during the first trimester of pregnancy increases the risks of congenital heart abnormalities in newborns. One of the most serious abnormalities that can occur is pulmonary atresia. In infants born with pulmonary atresia, no pulmonary valve exists. This prevents the flow of blood from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery and then to the lungs.

The newborn infant will appear blue (cyanotic) because of less oxygen in the blood circulating through the arteries. The baby can stay alive only because of lung blood flow through the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), an opening between the pulmonary artery and the aorta.

Early treatment may includemedication to keep the PDA from closing. Surgery involving the creation of a shunt between the aorta and the pulmonary artery can improve blood flow to the lungs. This is a temporary fix. More permanent repairs may have to be delayed if the pulmonary artery and right ventricle are very small. If the pulmonary artery and right ventricle are more normal in size, open-heart surgery may produce a good result.

Children born with pulmonary atresia require contiued care and follow up by a cardiologist to monitor their cardiac function. They will remain at risk of developing infections in the heart, including endocarditis.