My Heart Has Double Outlet What?

Abstract

The aim of this case is to illustrate the rarity of this condition alongside complications that can occur post-surgical repair. In addition, the patient who generously consented for this case to be written has wished for increased awareness of double outlet right ventricle (DORV) among aspiring paediatricians, surgeons and cardiologists. A 40-year-old British Caucasian male presented with 2 concurrent episodes of chest pains. He has had a complex surgical repair of his DORV at age 32 with a pulmonary valve replacement which was complicated by endocarditis and an out of hospital ventricular tachycardia (VT) arrest at age 34 which resulted in hypoxic brain injury, permanent short term memory loss and an implantable cardioverterdefibrillator (ICD) insertion. Urgent ICD interrogation revealed evidence of spontaneous fast VT which were terminated back to sinus rhythm with 2 shocks. In view of recurring episodes of VT, commenced amiodarone and arranged further regular follow-up. With a birth prevalence of 0.02% based on the UK’s national congenital anomaly statistics, it is one of the less commonly occurring congenital heart defects in the UK. There has been massive advancement in our understanding of the condition and how to treat it which includes surgical intervention. However, the overall risks regarding mortality and complications post-surgery are still not well understood. Long term complications such as VT as demonstrated in this case carries a potential life-threatening risk and more research is needed in understanding how to effectively screen and prevent it.

International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Supplementary Issue-2: 2021 Page: S14