Anomalous Origin of the Pulmonary Artery

In a healthy heart, both the left and right coronary arteries branch off the aorta. The aorta is the major artery that carries this oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. In a heart with anomalous (abnormal) origin of the pulmonary artery, the left or right coronary arteries branch off the pulmonary artery and carries blood from the heart to the lungs instead. Due to this congenital (present at birth) condition, not enough blood reaches the heart. In addition, the blood that does reach the heart doesn’t have as much oxygen as it should. Over time, this damages the heart muscle. This condition can also cause another rare congenital heart defect called pulmonary artery sling. 

At Nemours Children's Cardiac Center, we offer leading-edge capabilities to detect heart problems early using fetal cardiac diagnostics. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained pediatric cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons (specialists in surgical procedures of the chest, including the heart and lungs) are here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and help with treatment plans. Our cardiac teams offer the latest in research-backed care, delivered with compassion.