Tricuspid atresia with normal axis on ECG palliated with a central shunt; a case report.

BACKGROUND

Tricuspid Atresia is the 3rd commonest cyanotic congenital Heart disease. It is characterized by lack of communication between the right atrium and right ventricle. The treatment often requires a palliative systemic to pulmonary shunt before definite surgery. The use of a central shunt via a median sternotomy is suggested here as an alternative to other traditional shunts via a thoracotomy.

METHOD: The management of a 3-month-old boy who presented with dyspnoea, fever, cough and cyanosis is presented here as obtained from Clinical records.

RESULT: Following resuscitation, a central shunt (Ascending Aorta to main Pulmonary Artery) was constructed and the patient did well despite a turbulent post-operative period.

CONCLUSION

The management of tricuspid atresia likes other cyanotic heart disease is daunting but palliative treatment is possible in our environment and definitive treatment where possible affords a fairly satisfactory prognosis.