The Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Inquest Report

 

 

Double outlet right ventricle

Double outlet right ventricle (DORV) is a condition in which both the pulmonary artery and the aorta connect to the right ventricle. DORVs are usually accompanied by one of a number of ventricular septal defects. The three types of VSDs most likely to occur with DORV are subaortic VSD (the defect is located beneath the aortic valve), subpulmonary VSD (the defect is located beneath the pulmonary valve) and doubly committed VSD (the defect is located within the septal band and immediately beneath the leaflets of the aortic and pulmonary valves). Sometimes the baby will have other associated cardiac defects.

Symptoms tend to occur early in life, often within days of birth. The two major symptoms are congestive heart failure and cyanosis. In some cases, cyanosis can become severe because of reduced pulmonary blood flow.

The goal of the surgical treatment of DORV is a complete anatomic repair. The left ventricle is connected to the aorta, the right ventricle is connected to the pulmonary artery and the VSD is closed. Usually a complete repair is undertaken at as early an age as possible.

Diagram 2.18 - Double outlet right ventricle
Diagram 2.18 Double outlet right ventricle
1 - overriding aorta
2 - ventricular septal defect
De-oxygenated blood enters the aorta from the right ventricle and is returned to the body.

 

 

Current Home - Table of Contents - Chapter 2 - Double outlet right ventricle
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Section 1 Chapter 1 - Introduction to the Issues
  Chapter 2 - Pediatric Cardiac Issues
  Chapter 3 - The Diagnosis of Pediatric Heart Defects and their Surgical Treatment
  Chapter 4 - The Health Sciences Centre
Section 2 Chapter 5 - Pediatric Cardiac Surgery in Winnipeg 1950-1993
  Chapter 6 - The Restart of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery in 1994
January 1, 1994 to May 17, 1994
  Chapter 7 - The Slowdown
May 17 to September 1994
  Chapter 8 - Events Leading to the Suspension of the Program
September 7, 1994 to December 23, 1994
  Chapter 9 - 1995 - The Aftermath of the Shutdown
January to March, 1995
Section 3 Chapter 10 - Findings and Recommendations
Appendix 1 - Glossary of terms used in this report
Appendix 2 - Parties to the Proceedings and counsel
Appendix 3 - List of witnesses and dates of testimony
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Tables
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