Anomalous Origin of the Pulmonary Artery Off the Aorta

Expert Care for Your Child’s Heart

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 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.

Services We Offer for Anomalous Origin of the Right Pulmonary Artery

The expert teams in our Nemours Cardiac Center locations offer a full range of pediatric heart care to diagnose and treat all types of congenital heart disease. Services vary by specialist and location, but may include:

Fetal Diagnostics. Early detection in our perinatology and fetal medicine centers help us diagnose some congenital heart defects and make a treatment plan for when your baby’s born.
ECMO. Also known as extracorporeal life support or “ECLS,” this treats serious problems land uses the technology to give hearts and lungs a chance to rest and heal.
Cardiac Catheterization. A procedure used to diagnose or treat cardiac problems by inserting a thin plastic, flexible tube (called a “catheter”) into an artery or vein and threading it through the bloodstream into the heart and its large blood vessels.
Cardiac Diagnostics. State-of-the-art, non-invasive, and minimally invasive tests for kids of all ages, including babies still in the womb.
Cardiology. Your child’s cardiologist will help with medications and monitoring, as well as long-term treatment plans and preventive cardiology care.
Cardiovascular Genetics Counseling. For conditions that are caused, at least in part, by changes in genes.
Heart Surgery. All babies with anomalous origin of the pulmonary artery and pulmonary artery sling will need surgery. Our pediatric heart surgeons have the experience, skills and advanced technology required to provide swift diagnosis and repair in children of all ages, even the tiniest newborns.

Why Choose Us for Anomalous Origin of the Left Pulmonary Artery Care

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 even the tiniest newborns, 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 Anomalous Origin of the Pulmonary Artery Highlights

Services, programs, facilities and care teams differ at each location. Call for details.

Delaware Valley/Greater Philadelphia

We offer care for newborns and children with anomalous origin of the right or left pulmonary artery at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children (Wilmington, Del.) and select Nemours duPont Pediatrics locations.

The Nemours Cardiac Center located at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children is ranked among the best children’s hospitals in the nation for pediatric cardiology and heart surgery by U.S. News and World Report.

Central Florida

We offer care for newborns and children with anomalous origin of the right or left pulmonary artery at Nemours Children’s Hospital (Orlando) and select Nemours Children’s 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 anomalous origin of the right or left pulmonary artery care at Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, Pensacola and our hospital affiliate, West Florida Healthcare, with outpatient and follow-up appointments also available at select Nemours Children’s Specialty Care 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).