Fortunately, this defect can be treated through surgery. There are various ways in which this is done. Whenever possible, the left coronary artery is simply detached from the pulmonary artery and sutured directly onto the aorta (Reimplantation).

In other cases, a tunnel is constructed across the interior of the pulmonary artery that carries blood from the aorta to the left coronary artery (Takeuchi Procedure). Oxygen-rich blood from the aorta passes through this tunnel and enters the left coronary artery, which carries it to the heart muscle.

Recovery from the surgical repair of this defect may be difficult and dependent on the degree of existing heart injury at the time of diagnosis and repair. Poor heart function and irregular heartbeat may occur, as well as other complications. However, gradual improvement can be expected in most cases, but as mentioned, is dependent on the degree of heart injury at diagnosis. The length of the postoperative hospital stay is generally 10 days to 3 weeks.