Do kids recover fully after intracardiac repair surgery?

Question

Hi doctor,

My son was born with congenital heart disease, pulmonary atresia with tetralogy of Fallot, and VSD. He had undergone a BT shunt surgery when he was three months old. He had ICR surgery at his ninth age. Surgery was successful, but after four days post-surgery, his health worsened, and with ventilator support and medication, he recovered after two months. In the doctor's view, he was not fully recovered, and his body reacted to medicines very slowly.

He was experiencing frequent wheezing problems, and gradually, he has recovered and is much better now. He is now in the ninth standard. He takes Envas 5 mg twice daily and Metaprolol 25 mg thrice daily. Every six months, he has a detailed check-up. Will such kids recover completely? In his diagnosis report, I noticed that he had experienced heart failure post-surgery, and the left side valve or ventricle was damaged and not working. I am very much concerned about his future. Will he experience any problems in the future because of this? Please advise me.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I am sorry to hear of your child's health issues, and I understand how you feel as a parent. In my experience, most children with similar health conditions live everyday life with an average life expectancy once the corrective surgery is performed early in life, as in your son's case. However, there is a slight chance of complications such as seizures and endocarditis. I advise you to treat any infection, such as flu, if he gets it early and effectively to reduce the chances of complications. I wish him good health.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.