Best Doctor List Near You for Damus Kay Stansel Procedure in Hagerstown

The Damus-Kaye-Stansel procedure is a complex cardiac surgery used to treat certain congenital heart defects, primarily in patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and associated anomalies. This procedure involves creating a connection between the left ventricle and the pulmonary artery, and between the right ventricle and the aorta, effectively re-routing blood flow to correct the abnormal circulation. Specifically, it entails placing a conduit or graft between the left ventricle and the pulmonary artery to enable oxygen-rich blood to flow from the heart to the lungs, while redirecting oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle to the aorta to supply the body. The need for the Damus-Kaye-Stansel procedure arises from congenital heart defects that result in abnormal circulation patterns, such as TGA, where the aorta and pulmonary artery are switched, preventing efficient oxygenation of the blood. The procedure is often performed as a palliative measure, providing temporary relief by ensuring proper blood flow until more definitive surgeries, such as an arterial switch operation, can be performed. Symptoms leading to the need for this procedure include severe cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin due to low oxygen levels), difficulty breathing, and poor feeding or growth in infants. These symptoms occur because the heart's abnormal structure impairs its ability to effectively oxygenate the blood and deliver it throughout the body. The Damus-Kaye-Stansel procedure helps stabilize the patient's condition by improving blood flow and oxygenation, allowing for better management of congenital heart defects until further corrective treatments can be implemented.