Tricuspid atresia with normal axis on ECG palliated with a central shunt; a case report.
BACKGROUND
Tricuspid Atresia is the 3rd commonest cyanotic congenital Heart disease. It is characterized by lack of communication between the right atrium and right ventricle. The treatment often requires a palliative systemic to pulmonary shunt before definite surgery. The use of a central shunt via a median sternotomy is suggested here as an alternative to other traditional shunts via a thoracotomy.


METHODS
The management of a 3-month-old boy who presented with dyspnoea, fever, cough and cyanosis is presented here as obtained from Clinical records.


RESULTS
Following resuscitation, a central shunt (Ascending Aorta to main Pulmonary Artery) was constructed and the patient did well despite a turbulent post-operative period.


CONCLUSIONS
The management of tricuspid atresia likes other cyanotic heart disease is daunting but palliative treatment is possible in our environment and definitive treatment where possible affords a fairly satisfactory prognosis.
Edaigbini
A S
AS
Department of Surgery, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika-Zaria. edais23@yahoo.com
Ekpe
E E
EE
Aghaji
M A C
MA
D004562:Electrocardiography; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery; D013908:Thoracotomy; D018785:Tricuspid Atresia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery