Children's Hospital Colorado
Colorado Fetal Care Center

Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR)

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Total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) is a critical birth defect of the heart in which the pulmonary veins don't connect to the left atrium like usual. Instead, these blood vessels go back to the heart by way of an abnormal (anomalous) connection. To survive after birth with this heart defect, babies with TAPVR must have a hole between the top chambers of the heart (an atrial septal defect). This hole allows oxygenated blood to get to the left side of the heart and pumped out to the rest of the body.

How is TAPVR diagnosed in babies?

Babies can be diagnosed with TAPVR before birth with a fetal echocardiogram.

How is TAPVR managed before and after birth?

Delivery in our state-of-the-art facility is recommended for high-risk deliveries. This way, you and your child will have access to neonatal intensive care, pediatric cardiology and pediatric cardiothoracic surgery services. Babies with TAPVR require surgical correction frequently in the newborn period.

Next steps

Get to know our pediatric experts.

Camila Londono-Obregon, MD

Camila Londono-Obregon, MD

Cardiology, Cardiology - Pediatric, Pediatrics

Emily Bucholz, MD

Emily Bucholz, MD

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Amanda Schmitt, MD

Amanda Schmitt, MD

Ob/Gyn Obstetrics & Gynecology

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Sarkis Derderian, MD

Sarkis Derderian, MD

Surgery - Pediatric, Surgery, Surgical Critical Care

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