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.

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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.

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Anomalous Origin of the Pulmonary Artery

Why Choose Us

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 Care Highlights

Delaware Valley Highlights

Delaware/Greater Philadelphia

We offer care for newborns and children with anomalous origin of the right or left pulmonary artery 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 the complete range of pediatric cardiology and heart surgery services. 

Florida Highlights

Central Florida

We offer care for newborns and children with anomalous origin of the right or left pulmonary artery 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 anomalous origin of the right or left pulmonary artery 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: