DIT review - Cardiology 1 Flashcards
Describe the steps of atrial septation
- (1) Septum primum grow toward endocardial cushion, narrowing foramen (ostium) primum
- (2) Foramen secundum forms in septum primum (foramen primum disappears)
- Perforations in the septum primum eventually fuse together to become the foramen secundum
- (3) Septum secundum develops as foramen secundum maintains R-to-L shunt
- (4) Septum secundum expands and covers most of the foramen secundum
- The residual foramen in the septum secundum is the foramen ovale
- (5) Remaining portion of septum primum form valve of foramen ovale
- (6) Septum secundum and septum primum fuse to form the atrial septum
- (7) Foramen ovale usually closes soon after birth because in increased LA pressure

Derivatives of the 1st aortic arch
- Part of maxillary artery
Derivatives of 2nd aortic arch
- Stapedial artery and hyoid artery
Derivatives of 3rd aortic arch
Common carotid artery and proximal part of internal carotids
Derivatives of 4th aortic arch
- On left – aortic arch
- On right – proximal part of R subclavian
Derivatives of 6th aortic arch
- Proximal part of pulmonary arteries
- On left – ductus arteriosus
What are the 3 shunts involved in fetal circulation + describe fetal circulation
Ductus venosus, foramen ovale, ductus arteriosus
- Umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood from placenta to liver
- In the liver there is mixing of oxygenated blood from umbilical vein with deoxygenated blood from lower extremities
- Some blood from umbilical vein goes to liver into hepatic circulation while some blood is shunted directly into the IVC via ductus venosus, bypassing hepatic circulation
- Blood goes from IVC to RA
- In the RA, blood can either go into the RV or straight into the LA via foramen ovale
- Blood that went to the RV then enters the pulmonary artery
- In the pulmonary artery, blood can either go to the lungs, or go through the ductus arteriosus which will shunt the blood directly into the descending aorta
- This shunt is due to the high fetal pulmonary artery resistance
- In the pulmonary artery, blood can either go to the lungs, or go through the ductus arteriosus which will shunt the blood directly into the descending aorta
Describe the transition from fetal circulation to adult circulation (e.g. closure of shunts)
- When the infant takes a breath, this decreases intrathoracic pressure, thus decreasing resistance in pulmonary vasculature
- Decreased resistance leads to more blood entering the pulmonary artery (less leaving through ductus arteriosus), and thus more blood entering the LA
- Increased LA pressure causes closure of the foramen ovale
- Highly oxygenated blood in the aorta causes closure of ductus arteriosus
Cardiac disorders associated with Turner syndrome
- Coarctation of aorta
- Bicuspid aortic valve
Cardiac disorders associated with Down Syndrome
- Endocardial cushion defect (ASD and VSD)
- Complete atrioventricular canal defect
Cardiac disorders associated with DiGeorge Syndrome
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Truncus arteriosus
Cardiac disorders associated with Marfan syndrome
Aortic insufficiency due to abnormal aortic valve
Defect and heart sound heard in atrial septal defect
- Most commonly due to ostium secundum defect
- Loud S1; wide, fixed split S2
- Symptoms range from none to heart failure
Heart sounds associated with patent ductus arteriosus
- Due to decreased pulmonary vascular resistance after birth, shunt becomes left to right
- Continuous “machine-like” murmur
What drug do you use to keep the PDA open and to close it?
- Indomethacin closes PDA
- PGE keeps PDA open
Describe the pathogenesis of Eisenmenger syndrome
- Uncorrected L-to-R shunt = increased pulmonary blood flow = remodeling of vasculature = pulmonary arterial HTN = right ventricular hypertrophy = increase RV pressure = shunt become R-to-L
- Causes late cyanosis, clubbing, and polycythemia
Location and presentation of infantile aortic coarctation
- Coarctation is proximal to ductus arteriosus
- Associated with PDA
- Presentation:
- Lower extremity cyanosis in infants – blood going to LE is deoxygenated (from RV to pulmonary artery to PDA)
- Associated with Turner syndrome
Location and presentation of adult aortic coarctation
- Coarctation is distal to ductus arteriosus
- Presentation:
- HTN in upper extremities and hypotension with weak pulses in lower extremities
- “Notching” of ribs on X-ray
- Collateral arteries form and engorged intercostal erode ribs
Complications of aortic coarctation
- Heart failure, increased risk of cerebral hemorrhage, aortic rupture, endocarditis
What other defect is often associated with persistent truncus arteriosus
- Failure of truncus arteriosus to divide into pulmonary trunk and aorta
- Usually associated with VSD
What is required in order for life in an infant with transposition of great vessels
- Not compatible with life unless a shunt is present to allow mixing of blood (e.g. VSD, PDA, or patent foramen ovale)
- Defect = 2 closed loop circuits
- LV enters into the pulmonary trunk
- RV enters into the aorta
Describe the defect and required shunting in tricuspid atresia
- Absence of tricuspid valve and hypoplastic RV
- Requires 2 shunts:
- ASD to get blood from RA to LA
- VSD to get blood from LV to RV so it can go to the lungs
What are the defects in tetralogy of fallot
- 4 defects:
- (a) Pulmonary valve stenosis
- (b) RV hypertrophy
- (c) VSD
- (d) Overriding aorta (sitting over VSD)
Describe presentation of Tetralogy of Fallot
- “Tet spells”
- Cyanosis exacerbated by increased R-to-L shunt due to crying fever, exercise
- Symptoms relieved by squatting
- Increased SVR = R-to-L shunt becomes L-to-R shunt = improved cyanosis
- Will see a boot-shaped heart on X-ray due to RV hypertrophy