Cardiology Flashcards
What are the septal defects?
- Atrial septal defects
- Atrioventricular septal defect
- Coarctation of the aorta
- Pulmonary atresia
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Tricuspid atresia
- Truncus arteriosis
- Ventricular septal defect
What is an atrial septal defect?
An atrial septal defect is a birth defect of the heart in which there is a hole in the wall (septum) that divides the upper chambers (atria) of the heart
What is the cause of an atrial septal defect?
Genetic and potentially environmental factors
What are the symptoms of atrial septal defects?
Ejection systolic murmur, fixed splitting of S2
Embolism may pass from venous system to left side of heart causing a stroke
How is an atrial septal defect diagnosed?
An atrial septal defect may be diagnosed during pregnancy or after the baby is born. In many cases, it may not be diagnosed until adulthood. Can be picked up in prenatal tests
What is the treatment of atrial septal defect?
Sometimes surgery
Medications
What is transposition of the great arteries?
A form of cyanotic congenital heart disease
- Aorta leaves the right ventricle
- Pulmonary trunk leaves the left ventricle
What is the cause of transposition of the great arteries?
Who is at increased risk of TGA?
It is caused by the failure of the aorticopulmonary septum to spiral during septation.
Children of diabetic mothers are at an increased risk of TGA.
What are the basic anatomical changes in transposition of the great arteries?
Aorta leaves the right ventricle
Pulmonary trunk leaves the left ventricle
What are the symptoms of transposition of the great arteries?
- Cyanosis
- Tachypnoea
- Loud single S2
- Prominent right ventricular impulse
- ‘Egg-on-side’ appearance on chest x-ray
How do you diagnose transposition of the great arteries?
- Loud single S2
- Prominent right ventricular impulse
- ‘Egg-on-side’ appearance on chest x-ray
What is the treatment of transposition of the great arteries?
Maintenance of the ductus arteriosus with prostaglandins
Surgical correction is the definite treatment.
What is the nitrogen washout test?
May be used to differentiate cardiac from non-cardiac causes
How is the nitrogen washout test carried out?
The infant is given 100% oxygen for ten minutes after which arterial blood gases are taken.
A pO2 of less than 15 kPa indicates cyanotic congenital heart disease
What are the causes of cyanotic congenital heart disease?
3 T’s
Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
Transposition of the great arteries (TGA)
Tricuspid atresia