Parents holding and admiring their newborn child with a pacifier in his/her mouth.

Pulmonary Atresia

Finding out that your baby was born with a missing heart valve can be overwhelming, emotional and stressful.

And it can leave you with many questions. Is pulmonary atresia treatable? What kind of care will they need? What does the future look like? Will they be OK?

You can be confident your child is in good hands at Cleveland Clinic Children’s. Our skilled pediatric healthcare providers offer expert opinions on pulmonary atresia, and the most effective treatments backed by decades of experience and research. And we’ll treat your child as if they were one of our own — with complete, compassionate care.

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic Children’s for Pulmonary Atresia Care?

Comprehensive treatment:

Our specialists treat all types of congenital (born with it) heart conditions. And treatment goes well beyond your baby’s early months. Our providers offer complete care for your child as they grow.

National recognition:

U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Cleveland Clinic Children's a top hospital in the nation. Newsweek has also named Cleveland Clinic a top hospital in the world.

Skilled collaborative care:

At Cleveland Clinic Children’s, your baby gets care from an entire team of experts. Our leading pediatric cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, congenital heart surgeons and other experienced providers work together to give your baby the very best care. Meet our team.

Patient-centered care:

We believe exceptional pediatric heart care should focus on all your baby’s needs — physical, emotional and social. Our providers treat your baby with gentle, compassionate care that’s focused on their comfort and well-being.

Virtual visits:

Although it’s much easier to evaluate your child in person, there are times when it might be too hard for you to bring them to an appointment. That’s why we also offer virtual visits. This safe, convenient alternative to an in-office visit, lets you meet with your child’s providers online. All you need is an internet connection and a smartphone, tablet or computer.

Pulmonary Atresia Diagnosis at Cleveland Clinic Children’s

Sometimes, our team can diagnose pulmonary valve atresia before your baby’s born. During your pregnancy, you may have a general prenatal ultrasound to check on overall fetal wellbeing. If your obstetrician feels there may be a congenital heart condition, they may order a fetal echocardiogram to see how blood is moving through their heart and heart valves. This test is usually done by a pediatric cardiologist (heart specialist) or a maternal fetal medicine provider.

To make sure all newborn babies are safe, every child born at Cleveland Clinic Children's receives thorough newborn care in the hospital to check for potential health problems, including congenital heart conditions.

Babies born with pulmonary valve atresia may have a heart murmur (whooshing or swishing sound) and their skin will probably be pale or have a bluish tint. They may also have trouble breathing and feeding.

To confirm a pulmonary atresia diagnosis, your child’s provider may also do more tests, including:

Pulse oximetry (pulse ox)

This simple test uses a soft sensor on your baby’s finger or toe to measure how much oxygen is in their blood.

Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)

During an electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG), a provider places special sensors on your baby’s chest and connects them to a computer. The sensors measure electrical activity in your baby’s heart.

Chest X-ray

A chest X-ray alone won’t diagnose pulmonary valve atresia. But this painless test give us information about your baby’s heart and lungs. We’ll also use X-rays to help rule out other conditions, like pneumonia.

Cardiac catheterization (cardiac cath)

If we need to see inside your baby’s heart, our interventional cardiologists may do a cardiac catheterization. Don’t worry. This isn’t heart surgery. First, they’ll insert a thin tube (catheter) into one of your baby’s blood vessels (usually in their arm or leg) and then move it through to the inside of their heart. This test measures blood pressure and oxygen levels and gives better details about their congenital heart condition. Sometimes, a temporary intervention is needed to improve your baby’s condition before heart surgery. This procedure is done during the cardiac catheterization.

Providers Who Treat Pulmonary Atresia

Locations

At Cleveland Clinic Children's, we're here when you need us most. Find a location near you.

Pulmonary Atresia Treatment at Cleveland Clinic Children’s

Pulmonary valve atresia treatment focuses on your baby’s immediate health needs and their long-term quality of life. At Cleveland Clinic Children’s, we provide the most advanced treatments for this condition and use these therapies in your baby’s personalized care plan.

Medication

Our specialists will usually give newborns with pulmonary valve atresia medicine that temporarily helps their blood get more oxygen. This medicine supports your baby in their early days and weeks of life, but it’s not a permanent treatment.

Open-heart surgery

Babies with pulmonary valve atresia need surgery, usually within the first weeks of life. Cleveland Clinic Children’s heart surgeons are some of the best in the country and are highly successful at repairing pulmonary valve atresia.

After surgery, your child will need regular follow-up appointments with their pediatric cardiologist. And they’ll need lifelong cardiac care. As they grow, they may need more procedures, surgeries or special medications.

Taking the Next Step

If your baby has pulmonary valve atresia, it’s normal to feel alone — but you’re not. Our team is here, ready to provide for your baby’s needs, no matter how complex their diagnosis is. And as you face challenges, Cleveland Clinic Children’s will help you find the resources and support you need to manage life with your baby’s unique health needs.