Aortopulmonary Window
Also known as: APW, aortopulmonary septal defect, congenital heart defect, birth defect of the heart, aortopulmonary fenestration
What is aortopulmonary window?
Two of the major arteries of the heart are the pulmonary artery, which takes blood from the heart to the lungs, and the aorta, which takes blood from the heart to the body. When there is a hole that connects these two arteries to one another, this rare congenital (present at birth) heart abnormality is known as aortopulmonary window. In almost 50% of patients it occurs with other heart defects.
What causes aortopulmonary window?
Aortopulmonary window occurs because of a problem in the hearts development during intrauterine life. While the cause is unknown, in some babies it may be due to chromosomal abnormalities.
What are the symptoms of aortopulmonary window?
Aortopulmonary window symptoms include:
- poor appetite / poor weight gain
- delayed growth
- heart failure
- irritability
- rapid breathing and heart beat
- respiratory infections
What are aortopulmonary window care options?
Aortopulmonary window is typically treated with open heart surgery shortly after birth to repair the defect.
Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD
This page was last updated on: June 26, 2020 04:04 PM