Cardiology Flashcards
What are the 4 cardiac abnormalities that are classically found in Tetralogy of Fallot?
VSD
Overriding aorta
Pulmonary valve stenosis
Right ventricular hypertrophy
Is Tetralogy of Fallot a cyanotic or acyanotic condition? What determines the extent of cyanosis?
Tetralogy of Fallot is a cyanotic lesion
The severity of the pulmonary stenosis is what determines the extent of the cyanosis
What murmur is heard with Tetralogy of Fallot?
Ejection systolic
What are the S+S of Tetralogy of Fallot?
Cyanosis Clubbing Poor feeding Poor weight gain/failure to thrive Ejection systolic murmur Tet spells
What is the investigation of choice to diagnose Tetralogy of Fallot?
Echocardiogram
What is the characteristic feature seen in CXR with Tetralogy of Fallot?
Heart has a “boot-shaped” appearance
This is due to RVH
What are Tet spells?
Intermittent periods where the right-to-left shunt becomes temporarily worsened, precipitating a cyanotic episode
Occurs in situations where pulmonary vascular resistance increases or systemic resistance decreases (exercise, walking, crying)
This allows blood to flow from the RV into the aorta
How do Tet spells typically present?
Irritability Cyanosis SOB Reduced consciousness Seizures
Older children may be squatting (this increases systemic vascular resistance)
How are Tet spells managed?
Older children - squat
Younger children - knees to chest
Supplementary O2 Beta blockers IV fluids Morphine Sodium bicarbonate Phenylephrine infusion
How is Tetralogy of Fallot managed?
Neonates - prostaglandin infusion to maintain PDA
Definitive management - open heart surgery
Prognosis >90%
What is Transposition of the great vessels?
Congenital heart defect in which the attachments of the aorta and pulmonary trunk are swapped
Why might babies with Transposition of the great vessels survive immediately after birth?
An additional heart defect - PDA, VSD, ASD
How does Transposition of the great vessels present?
Presents with cyanosis at birth
If initially compensated by PDA/VSD/ASD: Respiratory distress Tachycardia Poor feeding Failure to thrive Sweating
What is the definitive management for Transposition of the great vessels?
Open heart surgery
Cardiopulmonary bypass machine is sued to perform an arterial switch procedure in the first few days of life
How might Transposition of the great vessels be managed until definitive corrective surgery can be performed?
Prostaglandin E2 to maintain PDA
Balloon septostomy - create ASD
What is the most common congenital cardiac defect?
VSD
What conditions are associated with VSD?
Down’s syndrome
Turner’s syndrome
Is VSD a cyanotic or acyanotic lesion?
Acyanotic
How does a VSD present?
Can be symptomless and only present in adulthood
Typical symptoms: Poor feeding Dyspnoea Tachypnoea Failure to thrive
What type of murmur is typically heard with a VSD?
Pan-systolic
Left lower sternal border in the 3rd and 4th intercostal spaces
May be a systolic thrill
How should a small VSD be managed?
Watch and wait - may close spontaneously or become smaller
How should larger VSDs be managed?
Surgical correction - transvenous catheter closure via femoral vein or open heart surgery