Best Doctor List Near You for Arterial Switch Operation in Wellington

The arterial switch operation is a complex surgical procedure used to correct transposition of the great arteries (TGA), a congenital heart defect in which the two main arteries carrying blood out of the heart, the aorta and the pulmonary artery, are switched in position. In TGA, oxygen-poor blood is pumped to the body, while oxygen-rich blood is pumped back to the lungs, leading to a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream and severe health issues. The arterial switch operation involves reconnecting the aorta and pulmonary artery to their correct locations, restoring normal blood flow through the heart and body. The cause for requiring an arterial switch operation is the presence of transposition of the great arteries, which occurs during fetal development. Without this surgery, infants born with TGA cannot survive long-term due to the insufficient oxygen supply to the body. Other heart abnormalities, such as ventricular septal defects (holes between the heart's ventricles), can complicate the condition but are often repaired during the same surgery. Symptoms of TGA usually present soon after birth and include cyanosis (a bluish tint to the skin, lips, and nails), rapid breathing, difficulty feeding, and poor weight gain. If untreated, the condition can lead to heart failure and death. The arterial switch operation is typically performed in the first few weeks of life to ensure proper oxygenation of the blood. It has a high success rate, and most children who undergo the surgery can live healthy, active lives with long-term follow-up care.