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Living with Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum

A rare heart difference present from birth in which blood can't flow normally from the heart to the lungs.

Understanding Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum

Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum is a rare heart malformation in which the path from the right lower heart chamber to the lungs is blocked from birth.

The block is in the right ventricular outflow tract, and there is no opening between the two lower heart chambers. It ranges from a simple membrane blocking the valve with a normal-looking right ventricle, to a small right ventricle with unusual links to the coronary arteries. The main signs are a bluish color to the skin (cyanosis) and low oxygen. GARD lists onset during pregnancy, at birth, or in infancy.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Blue-tinged skin (cyanosis)
  • Low oxygen levels (desaturation)
  • Blocked lung artery (pulmonary artery atresia)
  • Heart valve differences (tricuspid valve)
  • An open vessel between the heart's main arteries (patent ductus arteriosus)

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include heart and blood vessel specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
Heart and blood vessel specialists (cardiologists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
What treatment or surgery is recommended for my child's heart?
How does the size of the right ventricle affect the options?
Which specialists, such as a pediatric heart doctor, should we see?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startduring Pregnancy, at Birth, and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive

GARD lists autosomal recessive inheritance, meaning a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent. It doesn't name a gene here.

Also known as: paiv - pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum; pulmonary atresia-intact ventricular septum syndrome; pulmonary valve atresia with intact ventricular septum

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septumGARD ID 4600 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

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