Fallots Tetralogy

Question 1

Which structures are affected in Fallots Tetralogy?

Answer 1

Ventricular septum
Pulmonary Valve
Aorta
Right Ventricle

Question 2

What happens to the affected structures in Fallots Tetralogy?

Answer 2

Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
Pulmonary Stenosis
Overriding Aorta
Right ventricular hypertrophy

Question 3

What is a right to left shunt?

Answer 3

Preferential flow of mixed blood out the aorta due to the narrowing of the pulmonary valve

Question 4

Why does low oxygenation of blood occur?

Answer 4

Mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood via VSD

Question 5

When does Fallots tetralogy present?

Answer 5

From birth or within first year of life?

Question 6

What symptoms occur in Fallots Tetralogy?

Answer 6

Low oxygen sats - cyanosis
Difficulty in feeding
Difficulty in gaining weight
Retarded growth and physical development

Question 7

What clinical signs are seen in Fallots Tetralogy?

Answer 7

Heart Murmur
Clubbing
Polycythemia (high red blood cells)
Tet spells - sudden cyanosis followed by cardiac syncope

Question 8

What would an echocardiogram show in Fallots Tetralogy

Answer 8

Abnormal anatomy with R to L shunt initially and later L to R shunt (Eisenmenger complex)

Question 9

What would the heart look like on an X-ray of Fallots Tetralogy?

Answer 9

‘couer-en-sabot’ (boot like) appearance of heart

Question 10

How is Fallots tetralogy treated

Answer 10

Oxygen used for Tet spells - potent pulmonary vasodilator and systemic vasoconstrictor
Surgery for early management- anastomosis between subclavian and pulmonary artery
Curative surgery by removal of the muscle and repair of the VSD