Introduction

Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection (TAPVC), also known as Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR), is a rare but serious heart defect present at birth. In this condition, the veins that carry oxygen-rich blood from the lungs do not connect properly to the left side of the heart. Instead, these veins connect to the wrong part of the heart or to other blood vessels. This causes oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood to mix, which leads to low oxygen levels in the body.

Babies born with TAPVC often need urgent medical attention and surgery to correct the problem. It is a critical congenital heart disease, meaning it must be treated early in life. If left untreated, TAPVC can be life-threatening.

Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return Symptoms
Newborns with TAPVC usually show symptoms within the first few hours or days after birth. Common Total anomalous pulmonary venous return symptoms include:

1. Trouble breathing

2. Bluish skin color (cyanosis)

3. Poor feeding

4. Tiredness or lethargy

5. Fast heartbeat

6. Swelling in the belly or legs

These symptoms happen because the body is not getting enough oxygen. Immediate medical diagnosis and care are important to save the child’s life.

Importance of Early Detection
Doctors usually find TAPVC through tests like echocardiograms, chest X-rays, or MRI scans. Once diagnosed, the child will need surgery to fix the veins and improve blood flow.

More Info About TAPVC

What is Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection (TAPVC)?
In a normal heart, the pulmonary veins carry oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart. In TAPVC, these veins connect to the right side of the heart or to other blood vessels instead. This causes oxygen-rich blood to mix with oxygen-poor blood, leading to low oxygen levels in the body.

This is a congenital heart defect, meaning it is present at birth. It must be diagnosed and treated as early as possible to save the child’s life.

Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return Types
There are four main types of TAPVC, based on where the pulmonary veins wrongly connect:

1. Supracardiac TAPVC

(a) The pulmonary veins connect above the heart, usually to the superior vena cava.

(b) This is the most common type.

2. Cardiac TAPVC

(a) The veins connect directly to the right atrium or the coronary sinus inside the heart.

3. Infracardiac TAPVC

(a) The veins drain below the heart, often to the liver or portal vein.

(b) This is often more serious and can cause blockages.

4. Mixed TAPVC

(a) A combination of any of the above types.

(b) This is the least common and most complex type.

(c) Each type affects how severe the condition is and how urgently surgery is needed.

How Is TAPVC Diagnosed?
Doctors usually use the following tests to find out if a baby has TAPVC:

• Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) – the main test
• Chest X-ray – shows a cloudy or snowman-shaped heart
• MRI or CT scan – gives more details if needed
• Pulse oximetry – measures oxygen levels in the blood

Early diagnosis helps the child get the right treatment without delay.

Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return Treatment
The only effective treatment for TAPVC is open-heart surgery. In this surgery, the doctor connects the pulmonary veins to the correct chamber—the left atrium—so that oxygen-rich blood can flow properly through the body.

Steps in TAPVC Surgery:

1. The child is given general anesthesia.

2. A heart-lung machine is used during the surgery.

3. The surgeon disconnects the wrongly attached veins.

4. The veins are then connected to the left atrium.

5. Any blockages or extra veins are removed or repaired.

Most children need this surgery within the first few weeks of life. After surgery, the child stays in the ICU for close monitoring and recovery.

Life After Surgery
With successful surgery and follow-up care, many children with TAPVC go on to live healthy lives. They will need:

1. Regular checkups with a pediatric cardiologist

2. Sometimes, medications to support heart function

3. Monitoring for complications like narrowing (stenosis) or irregular heartbeat