Double Outlet Right Ventricle: Zach’s Story

My surprise youngest, Zach, was diagnosed at our 20 week scan and we were immediately referred to UCL for further scans. We were met by the foetal medical team and GOSH a week later and Zach was diagnosed with Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) and Double Outlet Right Ventricle (DORV).

We were put in immediate contact with the cardiac team at GOSH, who supported us and prepared us for the future, which was uncertain as they couldn’t give a 100% diagnosis.

When Zach was born at UCL, my older children moved into my mum’s house, as we expected to be hospitalised for 6-8 weeks in London, 40 miles from home.

Zach was born in January 2017. We were told he didn’t have TGA, but had a non committed VSD with his Double Outlet Right Ventricle.

He thrived for a few weeks before the heart failure kicked in and we were quickly admitted to GOSH for palliative surgery, while Zach grew biggger for his big repair.

Without knowing about his heart issues before he was born, we wouldn’t have known the signs of heart failure and I think we would have lost Zach.

Also, because of the early preparation we got from the hospital before he was born, we were able to prepare our other children and ourselves for, what was a year long battle, to keep Zach well before his repair.

He is now thriving and although will need more surgery as he grows, we are so positive about his future and thankful for his early intervention and care.

Find out more about DORV here.