Pulmonary Artery Sling

Pulmonary artery sling is a rare condition where the left pulmonary artery (transports oxygen-depleted blood from the heart to the lungs) has an unusual starting place and route as it travels to the left lung. Usually, it would branch off from the main pulmonary artery. In a heart with pulmonary artery sling, it branches from the right pulmonary artery and passes between the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus (tube that carries foods and liquids from the mouth to the stomach). This unusual path causes pressure on the trachea and esophagus. Because of this, all children with pulmonary artery sling will require surgery. 

Pulmonary artery sling is a congenital heart defect, which means babies are born with it. At Nemours Children's, we offer leading-edge capabilities to detect heart problems early, including babies still in the womb. If your child has been diagnosed with pulmonary artery sling, the pediatric cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons (specialists in surgical procedures of the chest, including the heart and lungs) at the Nemours Cardiac Center will offer the latest treatment options, including advanced surgical repair techniques. 

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Pulmonary Artery Sling

Pulmonary artery sling is a rare condition where the left pulmonary artery (transports oxygen-depleted blood from the heart to the lungs) has an unusual starting place and route as it travels to the left lung. Usually, it would branch off from the main pulmonary artery. In a heart with pulmonary artery sling, it branches from the right pulmonary artery and passes between the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus (tube that carries foods and liquids from the mouth to the stomach). This unusual path causes pressure on the trachea and esophagus. Because of this, all children with pulmonary artery sling will require surgery. 

Pulmonary artery sling is a congenital heart defect, which means babies are born with it. At Nemours Children's, we offer leading-edge capabilities to detect heart problems early, including babies still in the womb. If your child has been diagnosed with pulmonary artery sling, the pediatric cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons (specialists in surgical procedures of the chest, including the heart and lungs) at the Nemours Cardiac Center will offer the latest treatment options, including advanced surgical repair techniques. 

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Pulmonary Artery Sling

Why Choose Us

Our Nemours Cardiac Center team has the experience to provide diagnosis and treatment of even rare pediatric heart defects like pulmonary artery sling. World-class heart care requires the compassion to understand your family's journey, and the expertise to heal even the most complex conditions. Our cardiac surgeons treat a vast array of heart defects in infants, children and teens, using the most innovative, up-to-date approaches. Our specialty is the early detection and repair of heart problems, so your child will have the best possible chance for a healthy future. 

Regional Care Highlights

Delaware Valley Highlights

Delaware/Greater Philadelphia

We offer care for newborns and children with pulmonary artery sling care at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware (Wilmington, Del.) and select Nemours Children's Health locations.

The Nemours Cardiac Center at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware offers a complete range of pediatric cardiology and heart surgery services. 

Florida Highlights

Central Florida

We offer care for newborns and children with pulmonary artery sling care at Nemours Children’s Hospital, FLorida (Orlando) and select Nemours specialty care locations.  

Our renowned pediatric cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery team at the Nemours Cardiac Center in Central Florida offers inpatient, critical and surgical care at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando — including dedicated cardiac anesthesiologists and state-of-the-art cardiac intensive care unit (CICU). 

Northwest Florida

We offer pulmonary artery sling care at Nemours Children’s Health, Pensacola and our hospital affiliate, West Florida Healthcare, with outpatient and follow-up appointments also available at select Nemours locations.

Our Nemours Cardiac Center in Pensacola is home to one of the few accredited pediatric transthoracic and fetal echocardiography labs in Florida and, if needed, can facilitate the transfer of extremely ill children between our Nemours Cardiac Center locations (e.g., to Nemours Children’s Hospital, FLorida).

Find Care at Nemours

We have many pediatric specialists and locations — find the care closest to you: