What is the primary issue in total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR)?

The primary issue in total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) is that the pulmonary veins do not connect to the left atrium as they should. Instead, in TAPVR, the pulmonary veins drain into the right atrium or directly into systemic veins, which results in oxygenated blood returning to the right side of the heart instead of being delivered to the left atrium and circulated to the body. This condition leads to a mixture of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, causing insufficient oxygenation of the body's tissues and requiring immediate medical intervention to correct the flow.

Understanding the mechanics of TAPVR is crucial, as it significantly affects the neonatal circulation and necessitates timely surgical repair to restore normal physiology and oxygen delivery to the body. The importance of recognizing how blood flow is altered in this condition helps healthcare providers in determining appropriate treatment strategies and interventions for affected infants.