Cardiac Defects

Question 1

What is congenital heart disease?

Answer 1

Congenital heart disease is a general term for a range of birth defects that affect the normal way the heart works.
Congenital means present from birth
Common birth defect
Affect almost 1 in 100 babies in the UK

Question 2

What is ventricular septal defect (VSD)?

Answer 2

VSD’s are common forms of congenital heart defects according for 21% of all cases
VSD allows for shunting of blood between the ventricles. Most commonly oxygenated blood shunts from the left ventricle across the defect to the right ventricle.
There may be single or multiple and may occur in multiple locations in the ventricular septum

Question 3

What is the percentage of ventricular septal defect?

Answer 3

25%

Question 4

What are the causes of congenital heart disease?

Answer 4

• Several genetic conditions that a baby inherits from 1 or both parents can cause congenital heart disease. Such as Down syndrome, Turner syndrome and Noonan syndrome
• Maternal diabetes
• Alcoholics
• Rubella
• Flu (influenza)
• Medicines (certain anti- seizure medicines, ibuprofen and acne medicines)
• phenylketonuria (PKU)
• organic solvents

Question 5

What is the treatment for congenital heart disease?

Answer 5

• Surgery
• Diuretics
• Fluid restriction
• beta blockers
• Ibuprofen
• Prostaglandins
• Transplant
• Varies from case to case

Question 6

What is the treatment pathway for congenital heart disease?

Answer 6

• Full PEWS observation in line with trust
• Administration of medicines
• Accurate fluid balance monitoring
• Liason with multi disciplinary care team
• family centred care
• communication

Question 7

What are the signs of congenital heart disease?

Answer 7

• Blue tinge to skin or lips
• rapid breathing
• rapid heart beat
• swelling in legs
• shortness of breath in babies
• extreme tiredness and fatigue
• fainting during exercise
• swelling in hands, ankles and feet

Question 8

What problem can congenital heart disease effect?

Answer 8

• problems with growth and development
• repeated respiratory tract infections
• heart infection
• pulmonary hypertension
• heart failure

Question 9

What is Phenylketonuria?

Answer 9

This is a rare genetic condition present from birth. In PKU, the body can’t break down a chemical called phenylalanine which builds up in the blood and brain. This can cause learning and behavioural difficulties