There are several treatment options in neonatal heart failure: Digitalis (digoxin) can be administered to boost myocardial contractile state, and also act as an antiarrhythmic. Catecholamines or other inotropes can be given to increase contractility and heart rate, and possibly decrease afterload.
Vasodilators such as hydralazine and captopril will lower afterload, while sedatives and muscle relaxants such as morphine can decrease tissue oxygen consumption. Finally, the changeover to adult hemoglobin can be accelerated by exchange transfusions with adult blood.