Children with double outlet right ventricle need surgery to correct the condition. The exact procedures and timing depend on your child’s condition, including how severe it is and whether they have other heart defects, too.
Double Outlet Right Ventricle Treatment Options
Surgery
In general, children need surgery to do the following:
- To direct oxygen-rich (red) blood, which comes from the lungs, into the aorta. From there, it can be delivered to the rest of their body.
- To keep oxygen-poor (blue) blood, which comes back from the body, out of their aorta. This blood needs to go to their lungs first to pick up oxygen.
How these objectives are achieved depends on the kind of double outlet right ventricle your child has. The approach that is best for your child’s heart is best explained by the cardiologist and surgeon taking care of your child.
Medicine
To get ready for surgery, your child may need medicines like these:
- Diuretics, which help the kidneys rid the body of extra water
- Digoxin, which makes the heart beat slower and with more force
Transplant
In rare cases, a heart transplant is needed. The heart transplant team at Seattle Children’s is one of the busiest in the nation, caring for children with this or other heart problems that cannot be controlled using other treatments. Read more about our heart transplant program.