Congenital heart disease Flashcards
What are the functions of the placenta?
Most of the work of the lungs and kidneys:
Foetal haemostasis, gas exchange, Acid base balance, Transfer of maternal IgG to foetus, nutrient transport, waste transport, Hormone production, Production of prostaglandin E2 which maintains patency of the ductus arteriosus.
Why do the lungs of the foetus not expand?
Filled with lung fluid which is continuous with amniotic fluid
How are the gut and liver used in the foetus?
Liver has little role in nutrition and waste management (done by placenta)
Gut is only used when foetus swallows amniotic fluid.
Explain foetal circulation?
Single loop circulation where blood circulates from the placenta to the heart. A little bit goes to the lungs (not 100% like in adults) then to the brain and body and back to the placenta
What is contained within the umbilical cord?
1 umbilical vein: placenta to baby carryinf oxygen and nutrient rich blood
2 umbilical arteries: Baby to placenta carrying deoxygenated blood.
Which 3 shunts help to sustain foetal life?
Ductus Venosus
Foraman ovale
Ductus arteriosus
What is the ductus venosus and what is its function?
Found in the liver connecting the umbilical vein to the IVC to bypass portal circulation which is not in use.
This is because nutrients from the placenta do not need further processing in the liver
What is the foramen ovale and what is its function?
Opening of the atrial septum connecting RA to LA allowing blood to shunt from R to L.
Most oxygenated and nutrient blood from the IVC crosses the RA and passes through the foramen ovale into the left heart
In the fetus, on which side of the heart is the pressure greater?
Right side due to resistance in the lungs
What happens to the blood carried by the IVC which does not pass into the foraman ovale?
It mixes with deoxygenated venous return, passes into the RV and pulmonary artery
How does the foraman ovale close after birth?
Membrane flap on the left side of the foramen ovale (Septum primum)
What is the ductus arteriosus and what is its function?
Connects the pulmonary bifurcation to the descending aorta. This means only a little blood goes t the lungs of the fetus
What percentage of the right ventricular output goes to the lungs in the fetus and why?
7% because resistance in the lungs is very high as they are fluid filled.
Why is the pressure in the systemic circulation so low?
The placenta is a large vascular organ with many large blood vessels therefore most of the blood in the RV goes into the descending aorta via the ductus arteriosus
What maintains the patency of the ductus arteriosus?
Circulating prostaglandin E2 produced by the placenta.
What happens to oxygen saturations at birth?
Initially baby very blue with saturations at 60-65%
Baby inflates lungs and crys. Within 10 minutes saturations rise to 85%.
The cord will constrict, be clamped and cut
What happens to pulmonary vascular resistance at birth?
Decreases as the baby breaths in and the lungs physically expand reducing intrathoracic pressure.
This increases circulating oxygen which acts as a vasodilator in the lungs
What happens to the systemic vascular resistance at birth?
Increases as the cord is clamped and cut, the placenta is removed from the systemic circulation => increase in SVR.
Overall what is the result of the circulatory changes at birth?
More cardiac output to the lungs and less blood through ductus arteriosus and foramen ovale closes as pressure in LA is now greater then pressure in RA.
What leads to the constriction of the ductus arteriosus?
1) Increased partial pressure of oxygen leads to vasoconstriction (unique smooth muscle)
2) Decreased flow to to decreased resistance in pulmonary circulation.
3) Decreased prostaglandin circulated as detached from placenta
When does the functional and anatomical closure of the ductus arteriosus occur?
Functional closure within hours to days- can be re-opened in the first few days of life if needed
Anatomical closure within 7-10 days => formation of the ligamentum arteriosum.
What is the ligamentum arteriosum?
Ligament reminisce of the ductus arteriosus
What are the consequences of failure of duct closure?
Blood now moves from the aorta into the pulmonary circulation down a pressure gradient.
=> Heart failure (too much blood in the pulmonary circulation and pulmonary hypertension)
=> Steal (other end organs are not well perfused as blood is diverted to lungs
NB: may also contribute to other pre-term complications
When is there a high incidence of patent ductus arteriosus?
Pre-term infants
What is the treatment for patent ductus arteriosus?
Watchful waiting, NSAIDs or surgery