Surgical treatment of this defect is performed as quickly as possible after the diagnosis has been made in order to avoid high pulmonary pressure.

Quite simply, the connection (window) between the aorta and pulmonary artery is closed with a patch made of pericardium (part of the membrane surrounding the heart) or of a synthetic material. This patch (pink oval in the animation) is sutured into place and the incision in either of the two vessels through which the patch was introduced is closed with sutures.

The likelihood of postoperative difficulties depends on how old the child is when the defect was repaired and if any other associated defects, especially DiGeorge Syndrome. The average hospital stay after surgery is 1 week to 10 days.