Congenital Heart Disorders
Cyanotic Heart Defects
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Transposition of the great arteries
- Truncus arteriosus
- Total anomalous pulmonary venous return
- Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
- Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum
Cyanotic heart defects are a group of heart conditions that result in decreased oxygen levels in the blood, leading to cyanosis, or bluish skin and mucous membranes. Clinical manifestations of these defects include shortness of breath, poor feeding, failure to thrive, and clubbing of fingers and toes. These defects require the PDA to remain open in order to send blood flow to the lungs. Once defect is completely fixed, the PDA is ligated.
Acyanotic Heart Defect
- Atrial Septal Defect (ASD): A hole in the wall separating the two upper chambers of the heart.
- Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD): A hole in the wall that separates the two lower chambers of the heart.
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA): A condition where the duct that connects the aorta and the pulmonary artery fails to close after birth. Important: Prostaglandin E1 keeps the PDA open and Ibuprofen/Indomethacin closes the PDA.
Coarctation of the Aorta: A narrowing of the aorta that obstructs blood flow.
Aortic Stenosis: A narrowing of the valve that regulates blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta.
These conditions can lead to symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and poor growth.