Arterial Switch Surgery

Arterial Switch Implant Surgery

Restoring Normal Heart Function for Newborns with Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA)

The Arterial Switch Operation (ASO) is a highly specialized open-heart surgery performed to correct a rare but serious congenital heart defect called Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA). In this condition, the two main arteries leaving the heart — the aorta and the pulmonary artery — are reversed, causing oxygen-poor blood to circulate through the body and oxygen-rich blood to loop back to the lungs. Without timely correction, this defect can be life-threatening.

Arterial switch surgery re-establishes the normal connections of the heart’s major arteries, allowing proper oxygenation of the blood and ensuring healthy circulation. It is most commonly performed within the first few weeks of life for newborns diagnosed with TGA.

When Arterial Switch Surgery is Needed?

This surgery is recommended for:

  • Newborns with TGA (Transposition of the Great Arteries)
  • Certain cases of double outlet right ventricle with TGA physiology
  • Infants showing severe cyanosis (bluish discoloration due to low oxygen levels)
  • Cases where early intervention is crucial to survival and long-term heart function.
How the Surgery Works

The arterial switch procedure involves:

  • Open-heart access under general anesthesia
  • Switching the positions of the aorta and pulmonary artery to their correct anatomical location.
  • Reattaching the coronary arteries to the new aorta to ensure proper blood supply to the heart muscle.
  • Closing the surgical incision and initiating careful postoperative monitoring.

This delicate procedure demands highly skilled pediatric cardiac surgeons and advanced cardiac care facilities.

Benefits of Arterial Switch Surgery

  • Restores normal blood flow through the heart and body
  • Prevents complications like heart failure and low oxygen delivery
  • Allows normal growth and development in most children after recovery
  • Offers a lifelong solution in the majority of cases
Recovery & Long-Term Outlook

Post-surgery, newborns are cared for in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for close monitoring. Most children can lead active, healthy lives, though regular cardiac follow-ups are recommended to ensure the heart functions optimally.

With timely surgery and proper aftercare, the survival rate is very high, and most patients do not require further major heart operations in the future.

Best Doctors For Arterial Switch Surgery In The World View All Arrow

Dr. Ashok Seth

Chairman of Fortis Escorts Heart Institute & Fortis Healthcare Medical Council

CONSULTS AT

Fortis Escort Hospital

EXPEREIENCE :
34+ Years
SURGERIES :
17800+

Dr. Ashok Seth

Chairman of Fortis Escorts Heart Institute & Fortis Healthcare Medical Council

CONSULTS AT

Fortis Escort Hospital

EXPEREIENCE
34+ Years
SURGERIES
17800+

Dr. Gaurav Mahajan

Director & Head - CTVS Cardiac Sciences, Cardiac Surgery (CTVS)

CONSULTS AT

Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali, Ghaziabad

EXPEREIENCE :
16+ Years
SURGERIES :
7,800+

Dr. Gaurav Mahajan

Director & Head - CTVS Cardiac Sciences, Cardiac Surgery (CTVS)

CONSULTS AT

Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali, Ghaziabad

EXPEREIENCE
16+ Years
SURGERIES
7,800+

Dr. Krishna Subramony Iyer

Executive Director, Pediatric Infant Cardiac Surgeon

CONSULTS AT

Fortis Escort Hospital

EXPEREIENCE :
40+ Years
SURGERIES :
22300+

Dr. Krishna Subramony Iyer

Executive Director, Pediatric Infant Cardiac Surgeon

CONSULTS AT

Fortis Escort Hospital

EXPEREIENCE
40+ Years
SURGERIES
22300+

Dr. Rajneesh Malhotra

Principal Director - Cardio Thoracic & Vascular Surgery

CONSULTS AT

Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket

EXPEREIENCE :
27+ years
SURGERIES :
22300+

Dr. Rajneesh Malhotra

Principal Director - Cardio Thoracic & Vascular Surgery

CONSULTS AT

Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket

EXPEREIENCE
27+ years
SURGERIES
22300+

Best Hospitals For Best Hospitals For Arterial Switch Surgery In The World View All Arrow

Acibadem Hospital, Turkey

Location Icon Istanbul, Turkey

Acibadem healthcare network in Turkey: A global leader in advanced medical care and innovation.

Artemis Hospital

Location Icon Sector 51, Gurugram, India

Artemis is the first JCI and NABH accredited multi-specialty hospital in Gurgaon.

BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital

Location Icon Rajendra Place, New Delhi, India

One of Asia's largest Bone Marrow Transplant center with 1500 healthcare providers

Fortis Flt Lt Rajan Dhall Hospital

Location Icon Vasant Kunj, Delhi

NABH accredited hospital, NABL accredited LAB, NABH accredited blood bank, Green OT certification

Frequently Asked Questions

Arterial Switch Surgery, also called the Arterial Switch Operation (ASO), is a complex open-heart procedure used to correct Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA). In this surgery, the aorta and pulmonary artery are switched back to their correct positions, and the coronary arteries are reattached to ensure proper oxygen-rich blood flow throughout the body.

This surgery is typically performed within the first 2–3 weeks after birth for newborns diagnosed with TGA. Early intervention helps prevent complications and supports normal heart function and development.

When performed by experienced pediatric cardiac surgeons in advanced medical facilities, success rates are above 95%. Early diagnosis and timely surgery significantly improve the outcome.

The cost can vary depending on the country, hospital, surgeon’s expertise, and the newborn’s condition. Typically, it covers hospital stay, surgery, ICU care, investigations, and medications. A detailed cost estimate is provided after medical evaluation.

The best hospitals are those with:

  • Specialized pediatric cardiac surgery teams
  • State-of-the-art cardiac intensive care units
  • Experience handling complex congenital heart defects

Your case manager can recommend top-rated hospitals in multiple countries.

Yes, many families travel abroad for this surgery. International hospitals with pediatric cardiac expertise offer high-quality care, and most have dedicated international patient departments to assist with travel, accommodation, and local arrangements.

After surgery, newborns usually spend 2–3 weeks in the hospital, including time in the Pediatric ICU. Full recovery can take a few months, and regular follow-up visits are important for monitoring heart health.

In most cases, arterial switch surgery is a permanent corrective solution. However, lifelong cardiac follow-up is recommended to ensure the heart continues to function well.

Yes. Our team helps with medical opinions, hospital selection, travel arrangements, visa support, and post-surgery care coordination to ensure a smooth treatment journey.