Pulmonary Atresia

Diagnosis

Mayo Clinic doctors with training in treating children who have heart disease (pediatric cardiologists) work together as a team to diagnose your child's congenital heart disease, including pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS).

Tests may include:

• Cardiac catheterization. In this test, your child's doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube (catheter) into a blood vessel in your child's groin and guides it to your child's heart using X-ray imaging. This test provides detailed information about your child's heart structure and your child's blood pressure and oxygen levels in the heart, pulmonary (lung) artery and aorta. Your child's doctor may inject a special dye into the catheter to make the arteries visible under X-ray.
• Echocardiogram. In an echocardiogram sound waves create detailed images of your child's heart. An echocardiogram shows the size of your child's pumping chamber (right ventricle), tricuspid valve and other heart functions. Your child's doctor usually uses an echocardiogram to diagnose PA/IVS. Your doctor may diagnose your baby's PA/IVS through an echocardiogram of your abdomen before you deliver your baby (fetal echocardiogram).
• Electrocardiogram (ECG). In this test, sensor patches with wires attached (electrodes) measure the electrical impulses given off by your child's heart. This test detects any abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias) and shows heart muscle stress.
• X-ray. An X-ray shows the size and shape of your child's internal tissues, bones and organs.

Read more about echocardiogram, electrocardiogram and X-ray at www.MayoClinic.com.