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Congenital Heart Defect Surgery
Surgery to correct structural heart defects present from birth, such as holes between chambers or narrowed vessels. Timing depends on the specific defect.
Causes & risk factors
- Holes in the heart (septal defects)
- Narrowed or misconnected vessels
- Faulty or missing valves
- Complex combined defects
Common symptoms
- Breathlessness
- Bluish skin in babies
- Tiring easily
- Poor growth or feeding
- Heart murmur
Tests & diagnosis
- Echocardiogram
- ECG
- Chest X-ray
- Cardiac MRI or catheterisation
Treatment & management
- Catheter-based closure of some holes
- Open-heart surgery to repair defects
- Staged operations for complex defects
- Lifelong follow-up with a cardiologist
- Medicines to support the heart before or after surgery
When to see a doctor urgently
- Seek emergency care if a baby turns blue or breathes very fast
- See a paediatric cardiologist for poor growth or a murmur
- Keep long-term follow-up even after a successful repair
Not a diagnosis. MedDroid gives general educational information about congenital heart defect surgery. It cannot examine you, diagnose or prescribe — always confirm with a qualified doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Is congenital heart surgery safe?
Outcomes have improved greatly, and many defects are repaired successfully, though risk depends on the specific defect.
Will my child live a normal life?
Many children do very well after repair, though some need ongoing monitoring.
Explore more
Sources & further reading
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Anbu, MBBS. MedDroid is an AI medical assistant and can make mistakes. It provides general health information, not a diagnosis or medical advice — always consult a qualified clinician. In an emergency, contact your local emergency number immediately.