Double-Outlet Right Ventricle

Sometimes, healthcare providers can find a heart defect before a baby is born. They may do this during a routine ultrasound screening called a fetal echocardiogram.

If not, a provider usually diagnoses double outlet right ventricle in the days or weeks after birth because of a baby’s symptoms.

During an exam, a provider will:

• Look for signs of cyanosis.
• Use a stethoscope to listen to your baby’s heart.
• Use pulse oximetry (pulse ox) screening to measure the amount of oxygen in your baby’s blood. The test is simple and pain-free.

What tests will be done to diagnose double outlet right ventricle?

Your baby’s healthcare provider may order one or more tests, like:

• Noninvasive imaging tests: Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray take pictures from outside your baby’s body.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): This painless test measures electrical activity in your baby’s heart.
• Echocardiogram (echo): This pain-free test measures sound waves from your baby’s chest to create images of their heart.
• Cardiac catheterization (or angiogram): For this test, a provider puts a thin tube through a vein and into your baby’s heart to get details on heart function.