Cardiac Flashcards
Cardiac: In utero
Oxygenation is provided by the placenta, not the lungs
The heart develops in the first 3 weeks and fetal circulation by 8 weeks
Lungs are not expanded and air is not used during utero, therefore connections must close by birth
Cardiac: After birth
Fetal connections close and the lungs begin to take over oxygenation
Heart starts out..
As a simple tube and grows into a complex organ
One end of the tube is arterial and one end is venous
Middle part of the tube widens, folds, and bulges into 4 chambers by the 3rd week of fetal life (heart beat)
Heart starts to beat at the 4th and 5th week
Atrium and ventricles are developed
How to bypass the lungs
Openings that are closed by birth Foramen ovale (atria Right to left) Ductus venosus (shunts blood from belly button to vena cava) Ductus arteriosus (aortic arch)- the most common one that does not close These open so that oxygen is exchanged while the baby is in utero
Fetal circulation
The fetus does not rely on the lungs for oxygenation, it relies on the umbilicus
The blood goes from the placenta to the umbilical cord, which then goes up the fetal abdomen, to the liver where its divides into 2
The liver. and the one vena cava through the ductus venosus, then goes into the atrium through the foramen ovale, to the left atrium, then to the left ventricle, and the upper body getting oxygenated rich blood to the highest level of the body causing encephalocoele developmental head to rump
Fetal HR
110-160 bpm, greater cardiac output per minute thena the adult
Cardiac: Changes after birth
No longer has a placenta so the blood need the lungs for oxygenation
Pulmonary vascular resistance decreases causing vasodilation in the pulmonary vascular bed
Pulmonary blood flow increases
Systemic vascular resistance increases
Blood flow through the ductus arteriosus becomes primarily left to right
Foramen ovale closes
Baby’s firsts breath →lungs inflate→reducing PVR to blood flow→pulmonary artery pressure drops→pressure in the right atrium to decrease.
Blood flow to the left side of the heart increases the pressure in the left atrium closing the feremonal valle.
Baby crying causes temporary reversal with mild cyanosis
Pressure in the pulmonary artery promotes closure of the ductus arteriosus, Decrease in Prostaglandin E causes this to close (usually happens in the first few hours and permanently within the first 3 wks, unless the baby is premature it is needs to stay open due to other cardiac defects), open = murmur
Cardiac: Compensation
Infants have a limited ability to increase their stroke volume to compensate for increased demands
Leads to tachycardia
Heart rate is primary compensatory mechanism for children when metabolic demands increase
Tachycardia may decrease cardiac output by decreasing filling time
Bradycardia has a profound effect on cardiac output
Cardiac: Major groups of problems
Congenital
Acquired
Cardiac: Congenital problems
Anatomical disorders that are present at birth
Cardiac: Acquired problems
Issues that happen after birth, the components that develop in-utero during the 4th of gestation until about the 8th week, and then the heart begins to mature
DiGeorge Syndrome
Caused by a defect in chromosome 22, may be signs you can see at birth. Some may develop later. These include bluish skin, seizures, twithing, learning delays, developmental delays, and failure to gain weight.
There are heart defect issues and facial issues
Congenital defects: Etiology
Most are unknown
Genetic predisposition interacting with environmental triggers
Chromosomal abnormalities account for almost 10% (downs, turner, DiGeorge)
Environmental or adverse maternal conditions accounts for 2-4% (maternal DM, phenylketonuria, Rubella and other viruses, Maternal ingestion of alcohol, anticonvulsants, lithium…)
Congenital defects: Etiology: Family history
Heart disease are usually dx at birth or in the first 4-6wks of age. Incidences are 2x greater than per-term babies Genetic make up and chromosomal defects Sudden death Diabetes Heart disease HTN Hyperlipidemia Congenital heart defects Family members with cardiac risk factors
Cardiac: History of infant
How is the infant/child feeding? Getting diaphoretic or cyanotic around the mouth or extremities when they eat?
Wt loss or failure to gain wt?
How are they breathing? Persistent, peaceful tachypnea RR >60, Cyanosis, pale?
Birth weight related to UGR
Pregnancy history: what meds mother took before and during pregnancy
Be sure you’re not implying any blame on the mother!1
Cardiac: History of Older children
Do they tire easily? Syncope? Recurrent respiratory problems that dont get better including asthma Poor wt gain Palpitations Lower extremity swelling Clubbing of the fingers Chest pain - rare that this is a cardiac condition in children
Cardiac: Physical assessment
Nutrition - how long do they eat? Color Chest and deformities Unusual pulsations Respiratory excursion Clubbing of fingers Cyanosis Palpate pulses Abdomen Peripheral pulses, femoral pulses: coarctation of the aorta may indicate weaker pulses and blood pressures in the lower extremities Heart rate and rhythm Character of heart sounds
Cardiac: Physical assessment: Clubbing of fingers
Early as 3 months
Could be due to hypoxia and the presence of right and left intracardiac shunt and an increase Hgb and HCT
Cardiac: Physical assessment: Pulses
Apical pulses, heaves, thrills, rate, rhythm
Apical pulse in <4yr old: felt 4th intercostal space- mid clavicular line
4-7 y/o: midclavicular line
>7y/o: 5th intercostal space, right mid-clavicular line
Cardiac: Diagnostic tests
Chest x-ray ECG Holter monitor Echocardiography Cardiac catheterization Exercise stress test Cardiac MRI
Heart sounds: S1
Beginning systole, loudest at apex and best heard over the mitral and tricuspid areas
Closure of AV valves
Heart sounds: S2
Loudest at the base
Closure of the semilunar valves, best heard over the pulmonic and aortic areas
Heart sounds: S3
Norml in some children and young adults
Best heard over the mitral area
Heart sounds: S4
Nt usually good to hear