Congenital heart diseases

Question 1

Describe the components of Tetralogy of Fallot

Answer 1

• Ventricular septal defect
• Pulmonary artery stenosis
• Aorta overrides VSD
• Right ventricular hypertrophy

Question 2

Describe the pathophysiology of congenital heart disease

Answer 2

• Shunts: Abnormal communication between hert chambers or blood vessels; pressure differences determines direction of blood flow.
• Obstructions: Features valvular stenosis or great vessal narrowing.

Question 3

List clinical symptoms of congenital heart disease.

Answer 3

• Cyanosis (Early, late, no)
• Poor feeding
• Impaired growth
• Tachypnoea
• Resp distress
• Clubbing
• Polycythemia
• Murmurs

Question 4

Describe the pathophysiology of left-to-right shunts.

Answer 4

• Excessive blood into pulmonary circulation
• Pulmonary Hypertension and late cyanosis
• The D’s (VSD, ASD, PDA)

Question 5

Describe the pathophysiology of right-to-left shunts.

Answer 5

• Blood bypasses pulmonary circulation
• Early cyanosis
• The T’s (Tetrology of Fallot, Tricuspid atresia, Truncus arteriosus, Transposition of the great vessels)

Question 6

D’s and T’s

List causes to L-to-R and R-to-L shunts.

Answer 6

L-to-R shunts (D’s):
* VSD
* ASD
* PDA

R-to-L shunts (T’s):
* Tetralogy of Fallot
* Tricuspid atresia
* Truncus arteriosus
* Transposiion of the great vessels

Question 7

Describe Eisenmenger complex?

Answer 7

• Initial shunt left-to-right
• Once pulmonary hypertension established, shunt now right-to-left
• Cyanosis develops

Question 8

List causes of congenital heart disease with obstruction.

Answer 8

• Aortic co-arctation
• Tubular hypoplasia of aortic isthmus
• Aortic valve stenosis or atresia