Congenital Heart Conditions Flashcards
What is a congenital cardiac condition?
A structural heart defect present at birth.
What are the four main causes of heart failure?
- Volume overload
- Impaired contractility
- High cardiac output demand
- Pressure overload
What are common infant symptoms of cardiac failure?
- Poor feeding
- Faltering growth
- Tachypnoea
- Tachycardia
- Hepatomegaly
- Sweating
What is an acute treatment for heart failure?
- Diuretics
- Inotropes
What are some chronic treatments for heart failure?
- ACE Inhibitors
- ARBs
- Beta blockers
- Spironolactone
- Digoxin
True or False: Patients with Down syndrome are at risk of heart conditions.
True
What is recommended for patients with Down syndrome within the first six weeks of life?
An echocardiogram
How are patients with Down syndrome monitored throughout their life?
They are monitored for heart conditions.
What is a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)?
A hole in the septum between the ventricles
What can blood flow into due to a VSD?
Opposite ventricles
What are some potential consequences of VSD?
- Heart failure
- Irregular heart rhythm
- Eisenmenger Syndrome
- Lean heart valve
- Strong pulmonary hypertension
What is the treatment for small VSDs?
They can close by themselves
What treatments are needed for larger VSDs?
- Transcatheter closure
- Open heart surgery
What is an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)?
A hole in the septum between the upper chambers of the heart
How does blood flow in an ASD?
From the more oxygenated side of the heart to the less oxygenated side
What are some effects of ASD?
- Increased pulmonary blood flow
- Right atrium and ventricle hypertrophy
- Pulmonary hypertension
What is a common presentation of septal defects?
- Machinery murmur
- Shortness of breath
- Tiredness with activity
- Arrhythmias
- Palpitations
True or False: VSD can lead to Eisenmenger Syndrome.
True
Fill in the blank: A __________ defect is characterized by a hole in the septum between the upper chambers of the heart.
Atrial Septal
Fill in the blank: A __________ defect allows blood to flow into opposite ventricles.
Ventricular Septal
What are baseline observations in nursing considerations?
Oxygen saturations, temperature, blood pressure, heart rate
These observations help assess the patient’s condition and detect any potential complications.
What does a full blood count measure?
Hb level
Hb level is critical for evaluating the patient’s oxygen-carrying capacity.
