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Heart surgery for COA is done by a pediatric heart surgeon. The surgery lasts about 4–6 hours. You may stay in the waiting room during surgery.
Before surgery: You’ll be told not to let your child eat or drink for a certain amount of time before surgery. Follow these instructions closely.
During surgery: Your child is given medication (sedative or anesthesia) to help him or her sleep and not feel pain during surgery. A breathing tube is placed in your child’s trachea (windpipe). Special equipment monitors your child’s heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. An incision is made between the ribs to access the heart. The narrowed area of the aorta is removed. The remaining ends of the aorta may be sewn together. Or, part of the artery that goes to the left arm, or a graft of manmade materials may be used to repair the aorta. The chest is then closed.
After surgery: Your child is taken to a critical care unit. You can stay with your child during much of this time. He or she may remain in the hospital for 2–5 days. When your child is ready to go home, you’ll be told how to care for your child at home.
Reaction to sedative or anesthesia
Problems in the lungs
Infection
Bleeding
Problems with the nervous system
Abnormal buildup of fluid around the heart or lungs
Muscle or joint pain
Damage to vocal cords or diaphragm
After repair of COA, most children can be active. They can do sports and other exercise.
Follow-up visits with the cardiologist are needed. These visits may happen less often as your child grows older. The risk of COA coming back is low. But it is possible. Further treatment may be needed.
Medications may be prescribed to treat problems such as high or low blood pressure.
Your child may need to take antibiotics before having any surgery or dental work. This is to prevent infection of the heart or valves. This infection is called infective endocarditis. The cardiologist will give you instructions for this.