An Arterial Switch Operation (ASO) is a surgical procedure performed on infants, typically shortly after birth, to correct a heart defect called transposition of the great arteries (TGA).
Here's a breakdown:
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The Problem: Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA): In TGA, the aorta (which carries oxygen-rich blood to the body) is connected to the right ventricle, and the pulmonary artery (which carries oxygen-poor blood to the lungs) is connected to the left ventricle. This creates two separate and parallel circulatory systems where oxygen-rich blood doesn't reach the body effectively.
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The Solution: Arterial Switch Operation: The ASO corrects this by:
- Switching the positions of the aorta and pulmonary artery, connecting them to the correct ventricles. The aorta is moved from the right ventricle to the left ventricle. The pulmonary artery is moved from the left ventricle to the right ventricle.
- Reattaching the coronary arteries (which supply blood to the heart muscle) from the original aorta to the newly positioned aorta. This is a critical step to ensure the heart muscle receives oxygenated blood.
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Why is it done? To restore normal blood flow throughout the body, ensuring oxygen-rich blood reaches the body's tissues and organs.
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Timing: The ASO is ideally performed within the first few weeks of life for optimal results.
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Outcome: The Arterial Switch Operation is generally very successful, allowing children to live normal, active lives.
In essence, ASO surgery reroutes the major blood vessels of the heart to their correct positions, correcting the circulation problems caused by TGA.
