Congenital Heart Disease Flashcards
Congenital heart dz doesn’t automatically disqualify a driver. What affects qualification?
anatomic diagnosis
severity of the congenital defect
results of treatment
present Fitness status
possibility of functional impairment
risk of sudden death or incapacitation
Who is consulted to make decisions about the driver’s diagnosis, severity, and prognosis?
a cardiologist knowledgeable about adult congenital heart disease should Define the diagnosis, severity, and prognosis. These decisions are not made by the medical examiner.
What are common congenital heart diseases that may be encountered?
Ebstein anomaly
aortic congenital heart disease
atrial septal congenital heart diseases
ventricular septal congenital heart dz
patent ductus arteriosus
coarctation of the aorta
right ventricular outflow obstruction due to something other than valvular heart disease
tetralogy of fallot
transposition of the great vessels
What are the major causes of death in patients with congenital heart disease?
-heart failure
-sudden death
Does congenital heart disease automatically disqualify a driver?
No. Qualification is based on criteria such as:
* anatomic diagnosis
* severity of the congenital defect
* results of treatment
* present fitness status
* possibility of functional impairment
* risk of sudden death or incapacitation
What is Ebstein’s anomaly?
-Malformation of the tricuspid valve
-one or two of the three leaflets of the tricuspid valve adhere to the heart wall and move abnormally
-tricuspid valve is lower in the right atrium than normal
-often accompanied by atrial septal defect
Which congenital heart defect is most likely to be encountered in the clinical setting?
-Ebstein’s anomaly
-many patients who have it are asymptomatic
What are the guidelines for certification of pt with mild Ebstein’s anomaly?
Patient with mild Ebstein anomaly can be certified if they meet the following criteria:
-asymptomatic
-no symptomatic arrhythmia or accessory conduction
-no or only mild cardiac enlargement
-no or only mild right ventricular dysfunction
When is the patient who has mild Ebstein anomaly ineligible for certification?
-Intracardiac lesions
-right to left shunt; usually if the shunt is present, the patient will have cyanosis
-symptomatic arrhythmia or accessory conduction
-degree of cardiac enlargement or right ventricular dysfunction is more than mild
If a patient with mild Ebstein anomaly is certified, what are the guidelines for recertification?
-Must be recertified annually
-requires evaluation by cardiologist knowledgeable in adult congenital heart disease
-echocardiography required
Can a driver that has moderate to severe Ebstein anomaly be certified?
No
What are common congenital heart diseases that may be encountered?
- Ebstein anomaly
- aortic congenital heart disease
- atrial septal congenital heart diseases
- ventricular septal congenital heart dz
- patent ductus arteriosus
- coarctation of the aorta
- right ventricular outflow obstruction due to something other than valvular heart disease
- tetralogy of fallot
- transposition of the great vessels
Suppose the driver has a diagnosis of bicuspid aortic valve. Under what circumstances can this driver be certified?
When surgical intervention is successful
Suppose the driver has a diagnosis of bicuspid aortic valve. Under what circumstances is this driver ineligible for certification?
When surgical intervention is successful
Suppose the driver has a diagnosis of bicuspid aortic valve. Under what circumstances is this driver ineligible for certification?
Aortic transverse diameter is greater than 5.5 cm
How often can a driver who has bicuspid aortic valve be recertified if they meet requirements?
Annually
Some patients who have Marfan’s syndrome have weakness of the inner lining of the aorta. Under what circumstances can a driver with Marfan syndrome be certified?
No cardiovascular involvement
When is a driver with Marfan’s syndrome ineligible for certification?
-Aortic root enlargement
-moderate or severe aortic regurgitation
-anything worse than mild regurgitation related to mitral valve prolapsed
-LV dysfunction with ejection fraction less than 40% and no associated valve disease
If a patient with Marfan syndrome is certified, with what frequency should they be recertified?
Must be recertified annually
Patient with Marfan syndrome is certified, what kind of ongoing evaluation is required?
-Evaluation by cardiologist who is knowledgeable in adult congenital heart disease
-cardiology valuation must include aortic root imaging and echocardiography
What are common congenital heart diseases that may be encountered?
- Ebstein anomaly
- aortic congenital heart disease
- atrial septal congenital heart diseases
- ventricular septal congenital heart dz
- patent ductus arteriosus
- coarctation of the aorta
- right ventricular outflow obstruction due to something other than valvular heart disease
- tetralogy of fallot
- transposition of the great vessels
Atrial septal defect is a common form of congenital heart disease. Suppose a driver only has a small defect. Under what circumstances can the driver with a small atrial septal defect be certified?
Patient is asymptomatic
When is a driver with a small atrial septal defect ineligible for certification?
-Experiencing symptoms such as dyspnea, palpitations, or a paradoxical embolus
-patient has pulmonary hypertension
-patient has right to left shunt
-pulmonary to systemic flow ratio is greater than 1.5 to 1
If a driver with a small atrial septal defect is certified, how often must they be recertified?
Must be recertified annually
What kind of monitoring is required if the driver with small atrial septal defect is certified?
-must be evaluated by cardiologist familiar with adult congenital heart disease
-must have an echocardiogram
Under what circumstances can the driver with a medium or large atrial septal defect be certified?
-Must be three months post surgery or four weeks after device closure of their defect
-asymptomatic
-must have clearance by cardiologist who is knowledgeable about adult congenital heart disease
Suppose the patient with a medium or large atrial septal defect has surgical repair of the defect. What is the minimum waiting period before you can certify them again?
-three months post surgery
-four weeks after device closure
When is a driver with a medium or large atrial septal defect ineligible for certification?
-Symptoms of dyspnea, palpitations, or a paradoxical embolus
-pulmonary hypertension
-right to left shunt
-pulmonary to systemic flow ratio greater than 1.5 to 1