Atrial Septal Defect

Question 1

What happens when the umbilical cord is clamped?

Answer 1

The gas exchange is shifted from the placenta to the lungs

Question 2

What are the two ducts found in a newborn’s heart?

Answer 2

The foramen ovale and the ductus arteriosus

Question 3

What is the ductus arteriosus?

Answer 3

A duct that allows blood to flow from the pulmonary artery to the aorta and out to the body without going through the lungs.

Question 4

What is the foramen ovale?

Answer 4

A small hole located in the septum, the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart and takes blood for the right side directly to the left side.

Question 5

How is blood delivered to the fetus?

Answer 5

From the placenta via a single umbilical vein

Question 6

How is blood delivered to the placenta?

Answer 6

From the fetus via two umbilical arteries

Question 7

What stimulates the closure of the ductus arteriosus?

Answer 7

An increase in blood pressure and reduction in pulmonary pressure

Question 8

What stimulates the closure of the foramen ovale?

Answer 8

A decrease in pressure in the right atrium

Question 9

Congenital Heart Defect

Answer 9

An abnormality in the heart that you are born with

Question 10

Causes of a CHD

Answer 10

Environmental factors, drug use, diabetes, inherited disorders

Question 11

Acyanotic CHD

Answer 11

A CHD that doesn’t lower the oxygen levels in the body

Question 12

Atrial Septal Defect

Answer 12

A hole in the septum between the left and right atrium. Occurs if the heart doesn’t develop properly.

Question 13

Symptoms of ASD

Answer 13

Shortness of breath, fatigue, heart murmur, poor appetite, poor growth, lung infections, stroke

Question 14

How could a ASD cause a stroke

Answer 14

A blood clot could form, pass through the hole in the septum and travel to the brain

Question 15

Pathophysiology of an ASD

Answer 15

The blood flows to a low pressure gradient; high pressure on the L to low pressure on the R. Oxygenated blood moves to the R, requiring the RV to work harder to push more blood into the lungs, causing the R to enlarge. Blood to the lungs is increased, causing narrowing of the arteries. The R has to pump against more resistance to get the blood to the lungs. The heart becomes weak, leading to a back flow of blood. L to R shunt

Question 16

Repair of the ASD

Answer 16

Repair depends on the size and area of the septum. Catheter procedure device repair or open heart surgery - direct closure with stiches

Question 17

Cyanotic CHD

Answer 17

A CHD that does lower the oxygen levels in the body

Question 18

What causes poor feeding in ASD?

Answer 18

Due to an inability to tolerate the excretion needed to feed properly; feeding results in a need for increased cardiac output

Question 19

What causes fast breathing in ASD?

Answer 19

As the heart and lungs have to work faster in order to pump the excess blood around the body. The muscle becomes weak and becomes less effective at pumping blood around the body.

Question 20

Eisenmenger Syndrome

Answer 20

Pressure can increase on the right side to the point where it is higher than the left, causing the direction of blood through the VSD to change to right to left, meaning deoxygenated blood is able to escape to the rest of the body, causing a lack of oxygen delivered to the tissues and leading to cyanosis.