Blalock Thomas Taussig Shunt Procedure & Recovery
BTT procedure, or Blalock-Taussig-Thomas procedure is a significant milestone in the field of surgery for cyanotic congenital heart defects, particularly in infants. This operation carries great historical importance as it represents a key step forward in treating complex cardiac abnormalities. Below are the steps involved in performing a Blalock–Taussig–Thomas’ surgery: 1. Preoperative assessment: The medical history, clinical presentation and diagnostic imaging like echocardiography, cardiac catheterization and angiography are evaluated before surgery so as to understand the exact nature of the cardiac anatomy and pathology. 2. Anesthesia induction: The patient is taken into an operating room where they receive general anesthesia that puts them to sleep throughout the whole procedure so that they do not experience any pain. 3. Surgical incision: A standard cut is made on or near one side of your chest (often called a thoracotomy) allowing access into your heart and major blood v...