 Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR/PAPVR)
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When a fetus is developing, the pulmonary veins are a single channel which must establish a connection to the developing left atrium. If it doesn't connect, other pathways for pulmonary venous drainage are created.
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The surgical repair of anomalous pulmonary veins is carried out through an incision in the middle of the chest. The breast bone is split in the middle and spread apart to expose the heart. A heart-lung machine is used to do the work of the heart while the heart is cooled, stopped, emptied and opened. The abnormal veins are redirected to the left atrium, usually by connecting them directly to the back wall of the atrium. The heart is restarted as the heart-lung machine is withdrawn.
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For in-depth visual and audio information on this condition, visit the Children's Hospital Boston Multimedia Library.
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Contact Children's Hospital Boston Cardiovascular Program physicians for a second opinion.
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