What is Pulmonary Atresia?

Pulmonary atresia (PA) is one of several kinds of congenital heart disease. A congenital heart defect means that it was present at birth. PA occurs when the pulmonary valve does not appropriately shape during the fetal heart maturation phase. As a rule, the pulmonary valve is the cavity on the right side of the heart that controls the blood stream between the right ventricle and the lungs. When pulmonary atresia occurs, a hard piece of tissue develops right where the valve needs to be. As a result, the pulmonary valve is closed off, and cannot properly function. This means that blood from the right side of the heart is unable to go to the lungs to be properly oxidized. This malfunction results in the baby will having discolored (blue) skin as well as breathlessness. Usually infants with Pulmonary Atresia are also unable to eat normally.

Pulmonary Atresia (PA) in Relation to Other Heart Defects

Pulmonary atresia often occurs paired alongside another congenital heart condition named “Patent Ductus Arteriosus, or PDA. Pulmonary atresia also usually means that the patient will have an inadequately formed tricuspid valve and an undersized right ventricle. Furthermore, Pulmonary Atresia can take place with or without a septal defect as well. Basically, Pulmonary Atresia can occur in a variety of ways with differing symptoms.

Pulmonary Atresia Symptoms

Pulmonary Atresia Symptoms usually occur in the first few hours of life, although it may take up to a few days.These symptoms may include:

• Discolored “Blueish” toned skin (cyanosis)
• Breathing problems including quickened breathing and/or breathlessness
• Exhaustion/Low Energy
• Abnormal and insufficient eating habits

Lexapro Link to Pulmonary Atresia

Current medical research suggests that women taking SSRI’s, like Lexapro, during all or any part of pregnancy results in the elevated risk of congenital heart defects, including Pulmonary Atresia. Risks are also heightened for the associated conditions of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), ventricular septal defects, and other valve and chamber malformations. Unfortunately, many women are not adequately warned of these risk factors and take these SSRI antidepressants while pregnant. Because heart development begins early in fetal development, harm and abnormalities can occur even if the mother stops taking the medication later in her pregnancy. Other SSRIs associated with Pulmonary Atresia and other congenital heart defects include: Zoloft, Celexa, Paxil, and Prozac.

Lexapro Pulmonary Atresia Lawsuit: Speak to an Attorney

If you took Lexapro (or other SSRI) and had a child born with Pulmonary Atresia (PA) or other serious heart or birth defect, call the Willis Law Firm today for a Free & Confidential Lexapro Lawsuit Consultation because you and your child may be eligable to monetary compensation for damages and injuries through a Lexapro Pulmonary Atresia (PA) Lawsuit. Furthermore, Lexapro Pulmonary Atresia (PA) and birth defect cases are taken on a contingency fee basis, and we are currently accepting Lexapro Birth Defect Lawsuits Nationwide.