Overview
The type and timing of surgical repair depends on the child's condition and the type and severity of heart defects.
In general, symptoms that indicate that surgery is needed are:
- Difficulty breathing because the lungs are wet, congested, or fluid-filled (congestive heart failure)
- Problems with heart rate or rhythm (arrhythmias)
- Excessive work load on heart that interferes with breathing, feeding, or sleeping
Review Date 2/23/2022
Updated by: Thomas S. Metkus, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.