Congenital Heart Defects - Tricuspid Atresia


Tricuspid Atresia small VSD
1. Tricuspid atresia with very small VSD and pulmonic valve resulting in low oxygen levels.
2. Modified Blalock-Taussig shunt placed to increase blood flow to the lungs, thus improving oxygen levels.

Tricuspid atresia is a type of congenital heart disease in which the valve between the right atrium and right ventricle fails to develop.

Blood that returns from the body to the right atrium cannot directly enter the right ventricle, and must pass through a hole in the atrial septum (atrial septal defect) into the left atrium and then the left ventricle. There are several anatomic variations that influence the symptoms and course of treatment in any given patient.

 Tricuspid Atresia medium VSD
3. Tricuspid atresia with medium-sized VSD allowing enough blood flow to the lungs to keep oxygen levels in a safe range, but not so much that the lungs are overloaded.

Tricuspid Atresia large VSD
4. Tricuspid atresia with large VSD resulting in too much blood flow to the lungs which could overwork the single ventricle and damage the pulmonary arteries. A pulmonary artery band has been placed to limit the amount of flow to the lungs in a safe range.