In this defect, the vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood back to the heart from the lungs are wrongly connected to the left
atrium. Blood drains to the right atrium through an abnormal vessel. An atrial septal defect (ASD) usually accompanies this
condition, allowing blood to flow from the right atrium to the left atrium. Without an ASD, the condition is fatal because
there is no oxygenated blood returning from the heart to be circulated to the body.
| Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR) |
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| Normally the pulmonary veins bring oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left side of the heart, where it is pumped out to
the body. With this condition, the pulmonary veins are connected to the vena cava. This means that oxygenated blood goes into
the right side of the heart instead. Luckily, this condition often involves an atrial septal defect. This lets some oxygenated
blood go into the left side of the heart and out to the body.
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What are the symptoms of total anomalous pulmonary venous return?
Children with total anomalous pulmonary venous return are usually cyanotic, have trouble breathing, and have a heart murmur.
Chest X-rays, echocardiograms, or a cardiac catheterization may be done to diagnose the condition.
How is total anomalous pulmonary venous return treated?
Surgery is done very shortly after birth to improve this condition. This involves connecting the pulmonary veins to the left
atrium, and closing the ASD.
What is the long-term outlook for children with total anomalous pulmonary venous return?
With early repair, the outlook is very good for children with this condition.
