Congenital Heart Conditions

Question 1

Fetal Circulation

Answer 1

Main Points

• Blood flow through foramen ovale into the left atrium -> the left ventricle then to the head and body
• Blood returns to the heart through the superior vena cava
• Some of blood is diverted through the ductus arteriosus into the descending aorta to perfuse the lower extremities

Question 2

Ductus Arteriosus

Answer 2

An opening from the aorta which allows the oxygenated blood to go to the head, neck, body and extremities

Question 3

Foramen Ovale

Answer 3

Carries blood to the left atrium in fetal circulation

Question 4

Ductus venous

Answer 4

Brings blood into the circulatory system which then enters the right atrium or left atrium, then goes through the foramen ovale and circulates back to the ductus arteriosus

Question 5

TRUE OR FALSE: At birth when the infant takes its first breath, circulation changes from placental circulation pulmonary circulation

Answer 5

TRUE

Question 6

When does the foramen ovale close?

Answer 6

Right after breath and the baby takes it’s first breath.

Question 7

Ductus arteriosus

Answer 7

Same as foremen ovale but can take up to 24-72 hours

Question 8

What stops the foreman ovale and ductus arteriosus from closing?

Answer 8

A malfunction in the first 3 trimesters of the pregnancy caused by:

• Smoking
• Alcohol consumption
• Poor nutrition

Question 9

Classification of congenital disorders

Answer 9

Anatomic defects

• Ventricular septal defects
• Atrial septal defects

Hemodynamic defects

• Shunting of blood
• Cyanotic disorders
• Acyanotic disorders

Question 10

What would happen if foramen ovale doesn’t close?

Answer 10

• Deoxygenated blood mixing with oxygenated blood
• It circulates into the systemic circulation
• Congestion because of extra blood
• Signs & Symptoms include:
  (-) Cyanosis
  (-) SoB
  (-) Cardiac Failure
  (-) Fatigued
  (-) Tachypnea

Question 11

Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Answer 11

When not closed, extra blood is pumped through circulation 
Symptoms occur about 3-7 days 
  - Tachypneic 
  - Dyspneic 
  - Lethargic
  - Bounding pulse 
  - Heart murmurs

Question 12

Atrial Septal Defects

Answer 12

Structural abnormality in the septum of the two atriums

- Can be treated surgically

Question 13

Ventricular Septal Defects

Answer 13

Defects in the ventricles similar to atrial septal defect

Question 14

Tetralogy of Fallot

Answer 14

4 congenital defect
  - Ventricular Septal defects 
        (-) Right to left shunting 
 - Dextroposition of the aorta 
        (-) aorta opens into the right ventricle and so deoxygenated blood goes back into the aorta which causes cyanosis 
 - Obstruction of pulmonic outflow 
      (-) narrowing of tricuspid valve due to dextroposition of aorta, Thereforem the heart is going to work harder leading to 
  - Hypertrophy of right ventricle

Question 15

Symptoms of Teratology of Fallot

Answer 15

Cyanosis 
Hypercyanotic attacks "Tet" spells
Hyperneic 
Irritable 
Diaphoretic 
Loss of consciousness

Question 16

Coartation of the Aorta

Answer 16

Narrowing of the aorta

• Not enough oxygenated blood to head and extremities
• Increased blood pressures in lower extremities
• Bounding pulse

Question 17

TRUE OR FALSE: If there is a septal defect, you will have blood shunting from left to right. Oxygenated blood mixing with deoxygenated blood. Patient won’t be cyanotic but still congestion

Answer 17

TRUE

This results in enlargement of left side and manifestations of CHF