Congenital Defects

Question 1

Aetiology

Answer 1

• arise during embryogenesis
• Usually weeks 3-8
• Seen in 1% live births
• Most defects are sporadic

Question 2

VSD

Answer 2

• Defect in the septum that divides right and left ventricles

• Most common congenital heart defect

• Associated with fetal alcohol syndrome

Cause a left to right shunt
It’s fine if the shunt is small, but if it enlarges, left to right flow of blood increases pressure in the pulmonary (right) circuit causing pulmonary HTN that will eventually reverse the shunting right to left due to hypertrophy, causing deoxygenated blood to flow in the systemic circulation thru the aorta causing cyanosis

Question 3

VSD complications

Answer 3

Small shunt is asymptomatic

Large defects can cause ** Eisenmenger syndrome**
- right ventricle hypertrophy
- polycythemia
- clubbing

Question 4

VSD Rx ✨

Answer 4

Surgical closure for large defects
Spontaneous closure for small defects