No Need to be Broken Hearted...

We met with Dr. Danford at Children's Hospital today and he performed an echocardiogram of our baby's heart.  The appointment went pretty much as we had expected.  Although, Baby J's active movements were not making it easy!  Dr. Danford confirmed our baby has a Complete Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AVSD), a heart defect commonly found in babies with Down Syndrome.


What is a complete AVSD?

• A large hole in center of the heart affecting all four chambers where they would normally be divided. When a heart is properly divided, the oxygen-rich blood from the lungs does not mix with the oxygen-poor blood from the body.  The defect allows blood to mix and the chambers and valves to not properly route the blood to each station of circulation. (www.heart.org)

Dr. Danford was very positive and told us that besides the septal defect, the rest of the heart looks good.  The success rate for the sugery is 99% and only 10% of patients require another heart surgery later in life.  


The surgery will most likely be performed any time between 3 weeks and 3 months after birth.  We will know the time for sugery is imminent when the baby starts having trouble eating and breathing properly.  This time can vary depending on when the heart's natural resistance to the incorrect blood flow begins to wear down - but, until then, we should expect a normal, loveable, baby!  The recovery time, in the hospital, is usually 5-10 days and the baby should be 100% back to normal within a few weeks.  


Dr. Hammel or Dr. Duncan, a team of pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons, will perform the corrective surgery.  We have heard nothing but good things about them and have been reassured our baby will be in great hands.  


We look forward to welcoming Baby J into this crazy world soon - only 3 more months to go!