sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site

Warning-sign checks

Double outlet right ventricle: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services if a baby, child, or adult has:

    • Severe difficulty breathing, gasping, or pauses in breathing
    • New, worsening, or severe blue or grey lips or tongue
    • Collapse, fainting, or difficulty waking
    • Sudden severe weakness or confusion
    • Chest pain with fainting, severe breathlessness, or a very fast heartbeat

    Follow any emergency plan provided by the congenital heart team.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek prompt medical advice for increased breathing rate, feeding difficulty, sweating during feeds, reduced urine output, new swelling, worsening tiredness, poor weight gain, or a new or persistent fever.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Keep all routine follow-up appointments even when there are no symptoms.

The article also says

Contact the congenital heart team soon about new palpitations, reduced exercise ability, dizziness, increasing breathlessness, or swelling.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Double outlet right ventricle. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.