Double Outlet Right Ventricle Case Study
Double-Outlet Right Ventricle, Pediatric
Double-outlet right ventricle is a heart condition that makes the heart work extra hard to pump blood. This condition happens when blood carrying oxygen (oxygen-rich blood) gets mixed with blood that is not carrying oxygen (oxygen-poor blood) because of the following defects:
• There is a hole between the right and left chambers of the heart (septal defect).
• The blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body (aorta) is in the wrong place.
CAUSES
The cause of this condition is not known. Children with this condition are born with it.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of this condition begin soon after birth. They may include:
• Rapid breathing.
• Trouble breathing.
• Bluish skin, lips, and nails (cyanosis).
• Poor feeding.
• Inability to gain weight.
• Sweating.
• Swelling of the legs and belly.
DIAGNOSIS
This condition may be diagnosed based on your child's symptoms and a physical exam. During the exam, your child's health care provider may listen for an abnormal heart sound (murmur). The diagnosis may be confirmed with tests, including:
• Pulse oximetry. This involves measuring the amount of oxygen in the blood with a sensor placed on a finger or toe.
• A chest X-ray.
• An electrocardiogram (ECG). This test records the electrical activity of the heart.
• Echocardiogram. This is a kind of ultrasound that shows how blood flows in the heart.
• Cardiac catheterization. In this test, a flexible tube (catheter) is put in the heart to check the oxygen levels and blood pressure.
TREATMENT
This condition is treated with surgery. Until the time of surgery, your baby may be treated with medicines to help the heart. After surgery, most children with this condition need to take medicines throughout life.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
• Give your child over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by the child's health care provider.
• Have your child return to his or her normal activities as
Double-outlet right ventricle is a heart condition that makes the heart work extra hard to pump blood. This condition happens when blood carrying oxygen (oxygen-rich blood) gets mixed with blood that is not carrying oxygen (oxygen-poor blood) because of the following defects:
• There is a hole between the right and left chambers of the heart (septal defect).
• The blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body (aorta) is in the wrong place.
CAUSES
The cause of this condition is not known. Children with this condition are born with it.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of this condition begin soon after birth. They may include:
• Rapid breathing.
• Trouble breathing.
• Bluish skin, lips, and nails (cyanosis).
• Poor feeding.
• Inability to gain weight.
• Sweating.
• Swelling of the legs and belly.
DIAGNOSIS
This condition may be diagnosed based on your child's symptoms and a physical exam. During the exam, your child's health care provider may listen for an abnormal heart sound (murmur). The diagnosis may be confirmed with tests, including:
• Pulse oximetry. This involves measuring the amount of oxygen in the blood with a sensor placed on a finger or toe.
• A chest X-ray.
• An electrocardiogram (ECG). This test records the electrical activity of the heart.
• Echocardiogram. This is a kind of ultrasound that shows how blood flows in the heart.
• Cardiac catheterization. In this test, a flexible tube (catheter) is put in the heart to check the oxygen levels and blood pressure.
TREATMENT
This condition is treated with surgery. Until the time of surgery, your baby may be treated with medicines to help the heart. After surgery, most children with this condition need to take medicines throughout life.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
• Give your child over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by the child's health care provider.
• Have your child return to his or her normal activities as