Cardiac Flashcards
What is the ductus venosus?
Shunts blood from the liver to the inferior vena cava in utero
What is the foramen ovale?
Bypasses the right side of the heart by opening the right and left atrium in utero. This decreases pulmonary blood flow
What is a patent foramen ovale called?
PFO
What is the ductus arteriosus?
Connects the aorta and pulmonary artery to allow majority of blood to bypass the lungs in utero (contains mixed blood).
What is a patent ductus arteriosus called?
PDA
What happens to circulation when the neonate takes it’s first breath?
The pressure changes in systemic and pulmonary circulation which leads to the fetal heart structure changing or closing in response to pressure changes and increased oxygen content.
* 3 shunts should close
Normal Direction of Blood Flow Through the Heart
- Superior and inferior vena cavas to the right atrium
- Tricuspid valve into right ventricle
- Pulmonary valve into the pulmonary artery to the lungs where CO2 is exchanged for O2
- Pulmonary veins to the left atrium
- Through the bicuspid valve into the left ventricle
- The aortic valve to the body where O2 is exchanged for CO2 in the cells
Efficiency of pediatric heart compared to adult heart
The pediatric heart rate is higher than adults. They are not as efficient, so in order to have a suitable CO their heart needs to work harder to achieve it.
Normal HR for infants
90 - 160
Normal HR for toddler/preK
80-125
Normal HR for school age child
70-100
Normal HR for adolescents
60-100
Normal BP for infant
averages 80/40
Normal BP for toddler/preK
Averages 80-100/64
Normal BP school age children
94/56 - 112/60
Normal BP for adolescents
100/50 - 120/70
ECG
Recording heart’s electrical activity
- Child should be quiet and still
- Skin free of lotions and oils
Holter Monitor
24 hour EKG reading on a recorder worn by the patient
- Continue normal daily activities
- Snug undershirt can help hold it
CXR
Picture of size and position of heart and lungs
ECHO
Ultrasound generates picture of heart and vessels
- Assess structure, valve function, chamber size, and blood flow direction
- Child must be quiet and still
Pulse Oximetry
- Most common non-invasive method of monitoring arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2)
- Sensor placed on a finger, toe, hand, or foot
- Movement and temperature will affect reading
- Sensor will burn if left in place too long
- Change the position per facility policy
- Pre ductal: right hand
- Post ductal: left foot
Describe cardiac catheterization
- Catheter generally passed through femoral vein or artery toward heart
- Dye injected into catheter to identify detailed images of structures and blood flow patterns
- O2 saturations and pressures in heart chambers and arteries can be measured
- Conduction and cardiac output are evaluated
Nursing Implications for Cardiac Catheterization
- Know weight to determine dye amount
- Pre medicate as ordered
- NPO before
- Check for iodine/shellfish allergy
Pre-procedure cardiac catheterization
- Teach - may feel warmth, heart racing
- Use play therapy based on age
- Mark peripheral pulse sites and document strength of all sites
Potential Complications of Cardiac Catheterization
- Hemorrhage
- Dysrhthmias
- Thrombus or embolus formation, impaired perfusion to leg, PE, or CVA
- Infection
- Reaction to dye
- Cath perforation of heart or vessels
Post-procedure cardiac catheterization
- Keep leg straight for 4-8 hours
- HOB may be raised 20 degrees
- Infant may lay prone in parent’s lap
- IVF until PO adequate
- Frequent VS
- Insertion site assessment q5-15, during early post-procedure hours
- Assess distal pulses frequently
- Assess color, temp, and cap refill frequently
- Diet as tolerated when awake
Right to Left Shunting
Higher pressure in the lungs causing deoxygenated blood to cross through the PFO into left side of the heart
- Crying can cause right to left shunting in newborn
- Cyanosis can be seen
Left to Right Shunting
Increased peripheral vascular pressure causing blood back through PFO into right atrium and back into lungs.
-Acyanotic
Classification of Congenital Heart Defects
Classification is based on blood flow within the heart
- Increased pulmonary blood flow
- Decrease pulmonary blood flow
- Obstructed blood flow
- Mixed blood flow
Increased Pulmonary Blood Flow
L to R shunting resulting in s/sx of CHF
Decreased Pulmonary Blood Flow
R to L shunting resulting in cyanosis and hypoexmia
Obstructed Blood Flow
Blood flow impeded from the heart
- If on the right, cyanosis occurs
- If on the left, s/sx of CHF
Mixed Blood Flow
Hypoxemia with or without cyanosis and s/sx of CHF often occur together
Tetralogy of Fallot
- Most common cyanotic lesion
- R to L shunt
- 4 different types