Double Outlet Right Ventricle (DORV)

Also known as: DORV

What is ​Double Outlet Right Ventricle (DORV)?

If a fetus’s heart forms improperly in the womb, double outlet right ventricle, or DORV, is one of the many congenital heart defects that can occur. Specifically, double outlet right ventricle means that both the aorta and the pulmonary artery, the body’s two main arteries, come out of the right ventricle. Ordinarily, the aorta comes out of the left ventricle. Most children born with DORV also have a hole in the wall of the septum that separates the right ventricle from the left ventricle.

What causes double outlet right ventricle?

The reason that some babies get double outlet right ventricle, while others do not, is unclear. It is a congenital heart defect that frequently occurs along with other congenital heart problems.

What are the symptoms of double outlet right ventricle?

Infants with double outlet right ventricle often have trouble eating and breathing. They may have blue lips, skin or other body parts that indicate a lack of oxygen. Abnormal heartbeat, a heart murmur, sweating and fatigue are other possible symptoms.

What are double outlet right ventricle care options?

In most cases, double outlet right ventricle can be repaired with one or more surgical procedures.


Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: October 04, 2019 02:09 PM

The Arterial Switch Operation: A Single Surgeon, Single Center Experience: 2001-2019

April 10, 2019 – The Heart Institute at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital remains dedicated to providing the very best and safest experience for patients undergoing congenital heart surgery. Today we report 18 years of outcomes for patients undergoing the arterial switch operation for complete transposition of the great arteries who were operated by Dr. Redmond Burke.