Other important aspects of initial TAPVR treatment include the following:

Cardiac Catheterization 
A cardiac catheterization procedure can be used to diagnose and treat some heart defects. A cardiac catheterization procedure may be done to identify the defect(s) and the amount of blood that is mixing.

IV Medication 
Before a baby is born, they receive oxygen from the mother through the placenta. Because of this, their lungs aren’t used. Fetuses have a temporary connection between the pulmonary artery and the aorta called the ductus arteriosus. For babies with TGA, a medication called prostaglandin E1 is given to keep the ductus arteriosus from closing. This helps increase the amount of oxygen-rich blood in the body.

Heart Surgery 
Open-heart surgery is necessary to fix a total anomalous pulmonary venous return. For very sick ill newborns, TAPVR surgery will be performed immediately. Children who are less sick may be able to wait up to two months for surgery. The surgery time will be based on your child’s overall condition. During surgery, the four pulmonary veins are reconnected to the left atrium. Any other heart defects are also closed.

Outstanding outcomes: If your child needs surgery, you’ll have access to world-class heart surgeons. The Herma Heart Institute has some of the best results for even the most complex types of heart disease.

Care close to home: The Herma Heart Institute has 10 clinic locations. These clinics can be found in Wisconsin and upper Michigan.

Lifelong support: We provide care to our patients in all ages and stages of life — from before birth through adulthood. Your fetal heart doctor can care for your child through their childhood. As they age, they can transition into our Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program.

Commitment to innovation: Our team is leading the way in congenital heart disease research. We are working to discover breakthrough treatments and procedures to improve outcomes.

Support beyond the clinic: We know that our heart families need support that extends beyond the clinic. That’s why we invest in programs that help children thrive and get them back to being kids sooner:

• Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up Program
• Educational Achievement Partnership Program

Many infants who have had TAPVR surgery will grow and develop normally. However, after TAPVR repair, your child will need to be monitored by a cardiologist in case new problems develop.

As some children grow, the area where the pulmonary veins were reconnected to the left atrium may become narrowed, preventing blood from moving from the lungs to the left atrium. Treatment may include:

• Placement of a wire mesh device called a stent into the narrowed vein(s) to open it. This is done during a cardiac catheterization procedure
• Surgical enlargement of the narrowed pulmonary vein connection(s)

Once your child reaches adulthood, they should seek out a program that specializes in adult congenital heart disease. The Herma Heart Institute’s Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program is the largest in the state.

Consult your child's physician regarding the specific outlook for your child.