Coarctation of the aorta occurs when a segment of the aorta has a very narrow spot, like that in an hourglass. To repair this defect, an incision is made on the left side of the chest.
There are a few different techniques used in this repair. One approach is to remove the narrowed segment of the aorta and stitch the remaining ends together. This can usually be done in older children due to the size of the aorta.
Repair in infants is usually achieved by using a subclavian flap. An incision is made in the narrowed portion of the aorta. A patch is made from a portion of the left subclavian artery (the artery to the arm) to enlarge the diameter of the aorta.
The atrial septum is the wall between the left and right atria (upper chambers) of the heart. There is a natural opening prior to birth that usually closes spontaneously. When the defect fails to close, a child is left with an ASD.
ASDs may possibly be closed in the heart catheterization lab with two small umbrella-shaped "clamshell" devices placed on both the right and left side of the septum. The two devices are attached together, closing the hole in the heart. This procedure is still in the experimental phase, and is performed only in select centers.
Surgical repair is a well-accepted treatment for ASD. The septum is closed using sutures or covered with a patch made of membrane or synthetic material.
The ventricular septum is the wall between the left and right ventricles (lower chambers) of the heart. A hole in the ventricular septum is called a VSD.
Small defects usually close on their own -- 90% by age 8 -- and do not require surgery. Larger defects or those causing heart failure require surgical repair with a synthetic patch.
.gif)
