Congenital heart defect corre... Health Article

Indications

The type and timing of surgical repair depends on the child's condition and the type and severity of heart defects.

In general, symptoms that indicate that surgery is needed include the following:

• Blue or gray skin, lips, and nail beds (cyanosis), meaning there is not enough oxygen in the blood (hypoxia)
• Difficulty breathing because the lungs are "wet," congested, or fluid-filled (congestive heart failure)
• Problems with heart rate or rhythm (arrhythmias)
• Excessive workload on heart that interferes with breathing, feeding, or sleeping

Risks

Risks for any anesthesia include the following:

• Reactions to medications
• Problems breathing

Risks for any surgery include the following:

• Bleeding
• Infection

Additional risks of heart surgery include the following:

• Blood clots (thrombi)
• Air bubbles (air emboli)
• Pneumonia
• Heartbeat problems (arrhythmias)
• Heart attack
• Stroke

Expectations after surgery

The outcome of heart surgery depends on the child's condition, the type of defect, and the type of surgery. Many children recover completely and lead normal, active lives.

Convalescence

Most children need to stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) for 2 - 4 days and then stay in the hospital for 5 - 7 more days. By the time the child is transferred out of the ICU, most of the tubes and wires have been removed and the child is encouraged to resume many of his daily activities.

At the time of discharge, parents are instructed on activity, how to care for the incision, and how to give medications their child may need.

The child needs at least several more weeks at home to recover.

References

Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO, Braunwald E, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine, 8th ed. St. Louis, Mo; WB Saunders; 2007.