Arterial Switch Operation (ASO)

Artirial Switch Operation (ASO)

Arterial Switch Operation (ASO)

The great arteries in this anomaly refer to the aorta and the pulmonary artery, the two major arteries carrying blood away from the heart.

In cases of transposition of the great arteries, these vessels arise from the wrong ventricle. They are "transposed" from their normal position so that the aorta arises from the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery from the left ventricle.

Symptoms

• Rapid heartbeat

• Rapid breathing

• Swelling of the legs, tummy or around the eyes

• Extreme tiredness and fatigue

• A blue tinge to the skin or lips (cyanosis)

• Tiredness and rapid breathing when a baby is feeding

Diagnosis

• Echocardiogram

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)

• Chest x-ray

• Cardiac CT scan and MRI

During Surgery

During the surgery, arteries are put back in their correct place: the aorta is detached from the right atrium and connected to the left atrium; the pulmonary artery is detached from the left atrium and tied to the right atrium; the coronary arteries are cut out of the pulmonary artery and attached to the aorta.

Complications after surgery

• Nausea

• Feeding problem (such as trouble swallowing)

• Bleeding, clotting, strokes

• Vocal cord injury

• Drug reactions

• Heart rhythm problems

• Cardiac arrest

• Reactions to a blood transfusion

• Brain injury

• Breathing problems

Duration: 4-5 hours

Success Rate: 95-99% may vary according to patient’s condition.

Stay in Hospital: 10-12 days

Stay in India: 25-30 days