Angelica's story

This blog has been created to keep family and friends updated on our precious blessing Angelica. At our 18 week ultrasound we discovered we were having a girl. Such exciting news! We already had her name picked out. She would be named after my mother, Angelica. 

Unfortunately we also discovered some abnormalities that were found on ultrasound and that she had congenital heart disease. After some testing and several ultrasounds later we were given her diagnosis:  double outlet right ventricle (DORV), ventricular septal defect (VSD) and transposed greater arteries (TGA). She may also have coarctation of the aorta and pulmonic stenosis however will be difficult to diagnosis until she is here. What does all of this mean? 

DORV 
In a double outlet right ventricle defect, the pulmonary artery and the aorta—the heart’s two great arteries—both arise from the right ventricle. While serious, double outlet right ventricle is treatable surgically.

Comparison with normal heart

In a normal heart, the pulmonary artery that carries blood to the lungs to receive oxygen arises from the right ventricle. And the aorta, which carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the body, arises from the left ventricle.

         Additional Defects: 

• Ventricular septal defect (VSD), which is essentially a hole in the tissue wall (septum) that normally separates the right and left ventricles. The VSD is actually necessary in this condition, since it allows blood to pass from the left ventricle to the aorta and pulmonary artery. However, the VSD lets oxygen-rich blood mix with oxygen-poor blood, so the oxygen level in the blood is usually reduced. Exactly where the hole is in the septum will affect the surgery needed.
• 
  
• Pulmonary (valve) stenosis (PVS, PS), a narrowing or blockage of the passageway to the lungs
• 
  
• Transposition of the great arteries (TGA), in which the aorta and pulmonary artery can be reversed, so that the aorta is more closely related to the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery to the left ventricle 

In children with DORV, the type of treatment and the degree of urgency will vary, depending on which additional defects are present and the degree of the defect. We will know more once she is born. It is difficult to diagnose degree of defect in utero. We were transferred to Texas children's hospital. Texas Children's hospital is ranked #2 in the country for congenital heart surgery. I have moved to Houston and will be induced at 39 weeks. Chris and I are very happy with our team of specialist. Texas Children's is an amazing facility. I know she will be in good hands.