Congenital Heart Defects Flashcards
What is dextrocardia?
A rare condition in which the apex of the heart points towards the right side of the chest
In what 2 ways may dextrocardia arise?
- as a result of abnormal cardiac looping
2. it may be induced during gastrulation (week 3)
How may dextrocardia result from abnormal cardiac looping?
Normal looping involves a bend to the RHS, ventrally and caudally
In dextrocardia, it bends to the left
How may dextrocardia occur during gastrulation?
Cilia sweep cells to the correct sides of the body
In Kartagener syndrome, the cilia may sweep cells to the wrong side of the body
What is isolated dextrocardia?
This is when only the heart is on the opposite side of the body
Why does isolated dextrocardia not usually cause problems?
As long as the major vessels connect to the correct structures, there are no issues
What other structural defects is isolated dextrocardia associated with?
Abnormal connections with veins and arteries
Abnormal septation of the heart
What happens in dextrocardia if the vessels transpose?
Serious complications
e.g. oxygenated blood will be sent to the lungs
What is the role of the ductus arteriosus in the foetus?
It joins the aorta to the pulmonary trunk
It is used for blood to pass from the PT into the aorta and bypass the lungs
Why does the ductus arteriosus close at birth?
It closes due to increasing oxygen tension and a decrease in circulating prostaglandins
What does the ductus arteriosus become in the adult?
Ligamentum arteriosum
What happens in patent ductus arteriosus?
The ductus arteriosus remains open after birth
This causes shunting of blood from the aorta to the pulmonary artery
What is the result of having a patent ductus arteriosus in an adult?
Oxygenated blood travels back to the lungs, and then returns to the heart to be pumped out again
This increases the workload of the heart
Why does the blood flow through the ductus arteriosus in the opposite direction to the foetus?
In a foetus, blood moves from pulmonary trunk to aorta
In an adult, blood moves from the aorta to the pulmonary artery
Blood moves down a pressure gradient
What are the 3 main conditions that patent ductus arteriosus can lead to?
- pulmonary hypertension
- ventricular hypertrophy
- heart failure
Why does patent ductus arteriosus lead to pulmonary hypertension?
there is increased pressure going towards the lungs
What is ventricular hypertrophy?
Why is it necessary in patent ductus arteriosus?
The muscle of the ventricle increases in thickness
This is needed to allow the ventricle to work against the extra pressure
In what cardiac defect is a patent ductus arteriosus essential for life?
Coarctation of the aorta
How is patent ductus arteriosus treated?
Why?
Prostaglandin inhibitors
Prostaglandins keep the ductus arteriosus open
As the septum primum reaches full septation, what happens?
There is cell apoptosis to develop a small opening
This allows blood to pass from one side of the heart to the other
How does blood flow through the septa in a foetus and why?
Blood must pass through the foramen primum before the foramen secundum
This is due to the holes in the 2 septa being misaligned
After birth, why does the septum primum push against the septum secundum and fuse?
There is an increased amount of blood entering the left atrium
this pushes the septum primum against the septum secundum
What happens if the septum primum and septum secundum fail to fuse after birth?
This leads to probe patent foramen ovale
How common is probe patent foramen ovale?
Very common and occurs in 1 in 4 people
Why is probe patent foramen ovale usually asymptomatic?
The higher pressure in the left atrium pushes the septum primum against the septum secundum
This mechanically shuts the valve
When will a probe patent foramen ovale become symptomatic?
If there is a higher pressure in the right atrium, this pushes the flimsy septum primum open
What happens if the flimsy septum primum is pushed open?
Blood can shunt from right to left
What is the primum/secundum atrial septal defect caused by?
Malformations in the septum primum or septum secundum
They do not overlap fully, and therefore leave a gap
What is the result of a primum/secundum atrial septal defect?
An opening in the septum means that blood can pass from one atrium to the other
In which septum do defects usually occur ?
Septum secundum
What type of defect will excessive apoptosis in the septum primum lead to?
An ostium secundum defect
This is because the hole is too large to fill
How else may an ostium secundum defect be caused?
Inadequate development of the septum secundum
This can lead to the formaen ovale and ostium (foramen) secundum overlapping
What is the result of a ostium secundum defect?
Blood is shunted from left to right
This can cause enlargement of the right atrium and ventricle