Heart conditions: Congenital
Collection HubCongenital heart conditions are present at birth. They are defects that are caused when parts of the heart do not form properly. They occur very early in a pregnancy, often even before a woman knows she is pregnant. These defects can include holes in parts of the heart, or missing or malformed parts of the heart.
The heart and the circulatory system
The heart is a vital organ that sits between the lungs in your chest. It pumps blood around the body through a network a blood vessels (arteries and veins). Learn about the heart’s anatomy, its role in the body and how it works.
Aortic atresia
Learn about aortic atresia where there is no opening from the left ventricle of the heart into the aorta. Read about some of the tests and procedures used to diagnose and treat the condition.
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Overview
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Tests and diagnosis
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Treatments and procedures
Aortic stenosis
Aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve is unable to open completely. Learn about the tests used to diagnose this condition and how it is treated.
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Overview
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Tests and diagnosis
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Treatments and procedures
Atrial septal defect
An atrial septal defect is an opening in the wall between the two atria of the heart. Learn about the different types, and how they are diagnosed and treated.
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Overview
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Tests and diagnosis
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Treatments and procedures
Atrioventricular septal defect
Learn about atrioventricular septal defect and how it is diagnosed. This condition occurs when the atria and ventricles have not separated properly and also the mitral and tricuspid valves have not separated.
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Overview
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Tests and diagnosis
Bicuspid aortic valve
A bicuspid aortic valve occurs when there are two instead of three leaflets in the aortic valve. Find out more about the condition and how it is diagnosed.
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Overview
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Tests and diagnosis
Cardiomyopathy
With cardiomyopathy the muscle of the heart is affected and is no longer able to pump effectively. Find information on the different types of cardiomyopathy and how it is treated.
Coarctation of the aorta
Find out about coarctation of the aorta and how it is diagnosed. This condition occurs when there is a narrowing of the major artery leading away from the heart.
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Overview
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Tests and diagnosis
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Treatments and procedures
Complete transposition of the great arteries (TGA)
Learn about complete transposition of the great arteries and how this condition will affect your baby. Find out how the condition is diagnosed and how it is treated with surgery.
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Overview
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Treatments and procedures
Ebstein's anomaly
Ebstein's anomaly occurs then the tricuspid valve is in the right ventricle. Learn how this condition is diagnosed and treated.
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Overview
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Tests and diagnosis
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
With hypoplastic left heart syndrome the left side of the heart is underdeveloped. Learn more about how this condition is diagnosed and how it is treated with surgery.
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Overview
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Tests and diagnosis
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Treatments and procedures
Interrupted aortic arch
Interrupted aortic arch occurs when the aorta does not develop properly. Learn more about how this condition is diagnose and how it is treated with surgery.
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Overview
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Tests and diagnosis
Mitral valve prolapse
Learn about mitral valve prolapse and how it is diagnosed. The condition occurs when the leaflets of the valve bulge back into the left atrium of the heart.
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Overview
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Tests and diagnosis
Patent ductus arteriosus
Patent ductus arteriosus happens when the opening between the aorta and the pulmonary artery that is present before birth does not close. Learn how this condition is diagnosed and treated.
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Overview
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Tests and diagnosis
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Treatments and procedures
Pulmonary atresia
Learn about pulmonary atresia where there is no opening from the right ventricle of the heart into the pulmonary artery. Read about some of the tests and procedures used to diagnose and treat the condition.
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Overview
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Tests and diagnosis
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Treatments and procedures
Pulmonary stenosis
Pulmonary stenosis occurs when the pulmonary valve is unable to open completely. Learn about the tests used to diagnose this condition and how it is treated.
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Overview
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Tests and diagnosis
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Treatments and procedures
Tetralogy of Fallot
Tetrology of Fallot is a condition made up of four heart defects. Learn how this condition is diagnosed and what is does to treat it.
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Overview
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Tests and diagnosis
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Treatments and procedures
Total anomalous pulmonary venous return
Total anomalous pulmonary venous return occurs when the vessels returning blood to the heart from the lungs are not connected correctly. Learn how this condition is diagnosed and how it is treated with surgery.
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Overview
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Tests and diagnosis
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Treatments and procedures
Tricuspid atresia
Learn about tricuspid atresia where there is no opening between the right atrium and the right ventricle of the heart. Read about some of the tests and procedures used to diagnose and treat the condition.
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Overview
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Tests and diagnosis
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Treatments and procedures
Truncus arteriosus
Learn about truncus arteriosus where there is only a single artery coming out of the ventricles instead of the pulmonary artery and the aorta. Read about some of the tests and procedures used to diagnose and treat this condition.
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Overview
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Tests and diagnosis
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Treatments and procedures
Ventricular septal defect
An ventricular septal defect is an opening in the wall between the two ventricles of the heart. Learn about the different types, and how they are diagnosed and treated.
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Overview
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Tests and diagnosis
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Treatment and procedures
Other rare conditions
Learn about other types of rare congenital heart conditions such as dextrocardia, single ventricle anomalies and vascular ring.
The health-care team
Read about the different health-care professionals and teams that will be involved with your child's care.
- Cardiology treatment team
- Family support for the child with a congenital heart condition
- Genetics team
- Nursing team
- Nutrition and feeding consultants for patients with congenital heart disease
- Pharmacists
- Respiratory therapists: Helping children with congenital heart conditions
- Rehabilitation therapists for children with heart disease
- Surgical teams for children with heart conditions