Subaortic membrane

When your child is diagnosed with subaortic membrane, it means they have excess tissue below the heart’s aortic valve. The membrane interferes with the flow of oxygen-rich blood that’s moving from the left ventricle of the heart into the aorta and limits the blood that’s being sent to your child’s body.

You can trust our experienced and dedicated heart team to keep you informed about your child’s heart health and provide world class care.

Subaortic membrane symptoms

Most infants with subaortic membrane don’t have symptoms. When an infant or child develops symptoms, they’re more serious than they are in adults. Early subaortic membrane symptoms may include:

• Fatigue
• Light headedness
• Shortness of breath

Subaortic membrane symptoms can worsen over time. They may not occur unless there is an additional factor that puts stress on the heart, such as pregnancy or exercise. Later symptoms are:

• Chest pain
• Passing out during exercise or exertion
• Rapid heartbeat

Causes of subaortic membrane

Subaortic membrane is twice as common among males as it is among females. Half of the people who have it may also have leaking of the aortic valve.

Genetic factors may cause subaortic membrane. Sometimes a cluster of cases occurs in one family. However, subaortic membrane may occur because of other reasons.

Subaortic stenosis is often discovered while a child is being evaluated for congenital heart disease. Infants with subaortic membrane may also have these congenital heart diseases:

• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
• Coarctation of the aorta
• Shones complex
• Ventricular septal defects
• Tetralogy of Fallot
• Bicuspid aortic valve

What are the complications of subaortic membrane?

In rare cases, subaortic membrane may result in congestive heart failure as a complication. Severe cases of subaortic membrane may cause sudden cardiac death.

How do you diagnose subaortic membrane?

Your child’s cardiac doctor will perform a full physical, including listening for a heart murmur. Lab tests for children with subaortic membrane are usually normal. Clear cardiac imaging is important for diagnosis, as it helps your child’s health care team plan any subaortic membrane surgery so it’ll be more effective.

Echocardiography is the best choice of imaging for this diagnosis. It shows the size and shape of the subaortic membrane, the severity of any obstruction, and the condition of the mitral and aortic valves. MRI or CT may also be ordered.

 

Subaortic membrane treatments

Some children don’t need immediate subaortic membrane treatment. You’ll need to bring them in for regular follow-up visits to monitor their condition.

If your child has severe symptoms or there are signs of strain on the heart, their doctor may recommend surgery to remove the obstruction. In some cases, the aortic valve may need to be repaired or replaced. Learn more about our track record with pediatric heart surgery.

At Advocate Children’s Hospital, we offer ongoing support groups and other resources to support your child and your family.

Contact us with your questions about heart care for your child.

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