Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Double-Outlet Right Ventricle, Newborn
Double-Outlet Right Ventricle, Newborn
Double-outlet right ventricle is a heart abnormality that a baby is born with (congenital heart defect). This condition occurs when the blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body (aorta) is in the wrong place. Instead of its usual connection to the left pumping chamber of the heart (left ventricle), the aorta is connected to the right pumping chamber (right ventricle).
A baby with this condition will also have a hole between the right and left ventricle (ventricular septal defect). Blood that has oxygen in it (oxygen-rich blood) gets mixed with blood that does not contain oxygen (oxygen-poor blood). As a result of these abnormalities, the heart has to work extra hard to pump blood.
This condition is treated with surgery soon after birth. It may be done in stages, with the first surgery done soon after birth. Your baby may also need to take medicines every day.
What are the causes?
The cause of this condition is not known.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of this condition begin soon after birth. They may include:
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Rapid breathing.
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Trouble breathing.
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A bluish color to the skin, lips, and nails (cyanosis).
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Poor feeding.
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Inability to gain weight.
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Sweating.
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Swelling of the legs and abdomen.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition may be diagnosed based on:
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Your baby’s symptoms.
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A physical exam. During the exam, your baby’s health care provider may listen for an abnormal heart sound (murmur).
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Tests to confirm the diagnosis, including:
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An electrocardiogram (ECG). This test records the electrical activity of the heart.
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Echocardiogram. This is a type of ultrasound that shows how blood flows in the heart.
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A chest X-ray.
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Cardiac catheterization. In this test, a thin tube (catheter) is put in the heart to check oxygen levels and blood pressure.
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This condition may be diagnosed before your baby is born.
How is this treated?
This condition is treated with surgery to restore normal blood flow through the heart. Until your baby has surgery, he or she may be treated with medicines to help the heart pump blood. After surgery, most babies with this condition need to take medicines every day.
Follow these instructions at home:
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Give your baby over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your baby’s health care provider.
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Make sure you know how much weight your baby should be gaining based on your baby’s age. Your baby’s health care provider can tell you this.
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Keep all follow-up visits. This is important. Your baby will need regular checkups for the rest of his or her life.
Contact a health care provider if:
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Your baby has a fever.
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Your baby develops new symptoms.
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Your baby is not feeding well.
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Your baby is not gaining weight as expected.
Get help right away if:
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Your baby has a bluish color to the skin, lips, and nails.
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Your baby has trouble breathing.
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Your child who is younger than 3 months has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
Summary
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Double-outlet right ventricle is a heart abnormality that a baby is born with (congenital heart defect).
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This condition makes the heart work extra hard to pump blood.
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This condition is treated with surgery soon after birth. Until your baby has surgery, he or she may be treated with medicines to help the heart pump blood.
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After surgery, your baby may need to take medicines every day.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
