Treatment:

Treatment depends on the severity of the defect and the specific symptoms. Medical care may include:

• Medications to help with heart failure
• Oxygen and other breathing support
• Surgery to correct the valve may be needed for children who continue to worsen or who have more serious complications

Expectations (prognosis):

In general, the earlier symptoms develop, the more severe the disease.

Some patients may have either no symptoms or very mild symptoms. Others may worsen over time, developing blue coloring (cyanosis), heart failure, heart block, or dangerous heart rhythms.

Complications:

A severe leakage can lead to swelling of the heart and liver, and congestive heart failure.

Other complications may include:

• Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), including abormally fast rhythms (tachyarrhythmias) and abnormally slow rhythms (bradyarrhythmias and heart block)
• Blood clots from the heart to other parts of the body
• Brain abscess

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if your child develops symptoms of this condition. Seek immediate medical attention if breathing problems occur.