When should surgery for atrioventricular canal congenital heart disease?

The article was consulted with Dr. Nguyen Luong Tan - Head of Cardiology Department - Cardiovascular Center - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Atrioventricular canal congenital heart disease is one of the most common congenital heart defects. Surgery is the most promising treatment for atrioventricular canal disease.

Patients may have total atrioventricular canal disease or one of the four types of partial atrioventricular canals. In particular, the total atrioventricular canal is one of the complex congenital malformations, which can cause pulmonary hypertension and premature heart failure.
Atrioventricular canal disease is often accompanied by Down syndrome, so early treatment is even more important. Surgery is the preferred treatment for patients with atrioventricular canal congenital heart disease.
The recommended time for surgery for atrioventricular canal congenital heart disease is before 6 months of age. In addition, it can be performed earlier if the patient has severe concomitant heart failure, whose growth is difficult to control under medical treatment. Temporary surgery is possible for cases of underproduction.
Surgery for atrioventricular canal congenital heart disease will repair defects in both complete or partial atrioventricular canals. Also, use one or two patches to close the hole in the baffle. These patches will stay in the heart permanently, becoming part of the heart's septum.
Particularly with a partial defect, surgery will also repair the mitral valve, helping it close tightly. If the case cannot be repaired, the valve will likely have to be replaced.

If the baby has a complete atrioventricular canal, surgery requires separation of the valves and repair of the septum. If the valve cannot be regenerated into two valves, then the valve needs to be replaced.
If the atrioventricular canal is successfully repaired after surgery, the patient is likely to lead a normal life, often with no limitation of activity.
Patients may also need to take prophylactic antibiotics before certain procedures, dental and other surgery if there is a risk of other serious complications such as endocarditis, bacterial infection. Usually this happens when there is some defect left after surgery, prosthetic valve or repair with prosthetic material.
Many people with atrioventricular heart surgery do not need additional surgery, but if there are some complications such as regurgitation, they may require re-treatment.
If the atrioventricular canal is surgically repaired before any permanent lung damage occurs, the woman can expect to have a normal pregnancy. In cases where severe heart or lung damage occurs prior to surgery, pregnancy is not recommended.
The cardiologist will inform about the results of the pre-pregnancy evaluation or repair of the atrioventricular canal.

Without surgery, patients with atrioventricular canal congenital heart disease may experience the following complications:

Pneumonia
If the atrioventricular canal is not treated, it can easily lead to pneumonia - a serious lung infection.
Dilates the chambers of the heart
Increased blood flow through the heart forces the heart to work harder than usual causing dilation.
Heart failure
If left untreated, the atrioventricular canal often leads to heart failure - a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
Pulmonary hypertension
When the left ventricle weakens and cannot pump enough blood, the pressure increases through the pulmonary veins to the arteries in the lungs, causing increased pressure in the lungs.

Although surgery has the potential to greatly improve the treatment of atrioventricular canal disease, some patients with late surgery may be at risk for the following problems:
Regurgitation. Heart valve stenosis. Irregular heartbeat, arrhythmia. Shortness of breath associated with pulmonary vascular disease Signs and symptoms of dyspnea, fatigue, and tachycardia are common. In some cases, such as open heart valves, a second surgery may be indicated.

Partial atrioventricular canal can delay surgery until it affects cardiac and systemic function, but there is a group of children with total atrioventricular canal who need to have pulmonary artery stenosis banding before 1-2 months of age to protect the lungs. or early surgery before 3 months of age to be successful. Therefore, children need to be examined early to determine the time of surgery. Vinmec Hospital is experienced in diagnosis and treatment, giving advice at the right time for surgery.

Vinmec Central Park can now diagnose and treat atrioventricular canal congenital heart disease. In which, Dr. Nguyen Luong Tan - Head of Cardiology Department, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital, is a leading expert in the field of cardiovascular thoracic surgery in adults and children.
The doctor has been well-trained in the country and many centers have the world's leading medical background such as: France, Australia,... Therefore, patients with atrioventricular canal congenital heart disease can be completely assured when examination and treatment at Vinmec.

In April & May 2021, when there is a need for medical examination and treatment at Vinmec Times City International General Hospital, customers will enjoy dual incentives:
- Free specialist examination and discount 50% of many cardiovascular examination packages such as:
+ Basic Cardiovascular Screening Package
+ Hypertension Checkup Package
+ Heart Failure Checkup Package
+ Comprehensive Cardiovascular Examination Package
- 50% discount for customers There are indications for post-examination treatment. The program is limited to the corresponding technique of each hospital and to customers who perform this treatment technique for the first time at Vinmec.