Structural Heart Defects Flashcards
Define structural heart defect
An abnormality or defect in the structure of one of the components of the heart
What is Atrial Septal Defect?
An abnormal atrial septum opening allows blood to pass through and bypass the lungs, which leads to an increased volume of blood in the right atrium
What are symptoms of atrial septal defect?
- Pulmonary flow murmur
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath,
- Heart palpitations
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Stroke (in rare cases)
- (Small defects may be asymptomatic)
How do you diagnose atrial septal defect?
ECHO
How do you treat atrial septal defect?
- Sometimes may close spontaneously
- Otherwise, surgery to close the defect
What is Atrioventricular Septal Defect?
- Either a complete or partial hole down the middle of the heart between the atria/ventricles, leading to abnormal blood flow, especially through the lungs
- Also associated with Down Syndrome
What are symptoms of Atrioventricular Septal Defect?
- Breathing problems
- Pounding heart
- Weak pulse
- Ashen or bluish skin colour
- Poor feeding, slow weight gain
- Tiring easily
- Swelling of the legs or belly
- (Partial defects may be asymptomatic)
How do you diagnose atrioventricular septal defect?
ECHO
How do you treat atrioventricular septal defect?
Surgery to close the defect
What is a Bicuspid Aortic Valve?
The aortic valve is bicuspid instead of tricuspid, leading to increased cardiac complications due to the inadequate valve
What are symptoms of a Bicuspid Aortic Valve?
The bicuspid valve will degenerate faster than a tricuspid one
Therefore, symptoms are complications such as:
- Aortic Stenosis
- Aortic Regurgitation
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Aortic Dissection
How do you diagnose a Bicuspid Aortic Valve?
ECHO
How do you treat a bicuspid aortic valve?
- Non-severe – medication and monitoring
- Otherwise, surgery to replace valve
What is Coarctation of Aorta?
A narrowing/constriction of the aorta at or near the site of the ductus arteriosus, which causes increased perfusion to the upper body through the upper aortic branches
What are the symptoms of Coarctation of Aorta?
- Hypertension in arms and upper body
- Weak or absent pulses in the lower extremities - Due to decreased blood flow beyond the coarctation
- Heart murmurs
- Headache or leg cramps - Especially during physical activity
How do you diagnose Coarctation of Aorta?
- Chest x-ray – Big intercostal vessels
- CT angiogram
- ECHO
How do you treat Coarctation of Aorta?
Surgery to repair coarctation
What is a Patent Ductus Arteriosus?
- The persistence of the ductus arteriosus, which is a foetal shunt between the aorta and pulmonary artery
- This results in increased blood flow to the lungs
What are the symptoms of a Patent Ductus Arteriosus?
- A Machine-like murmur
- Rapid breathing (tachypnoea) and increased work of breathing: Due to increased blood flow to the lungs
- Poor feeding and poor weight gain: As a result of increased energy use
- Frequent respiratory infections: Susceptibility due to more blood flow
How do you diagnose a Patent Ductus Arteriosus?
ECHO
How do you treat a Patent Ductus Arteriosus?
- Prostaglandin inhibitor to induce closure
- Otherwise, surgery to close the defect
What is Pulmonary Stenosis?
The narrowing or obstruction of the pulmonary valve/artery, which restricts the blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery, and therefore the lungs.
What are the 3 types of pulmonary stenosis?
- Valvular Pulmonary Stenosis
- Subvalvular Pulmonary Stenosis
- Supravalvular Pulmonary Stenosis
What is valvular pulmonary stenosis?
Narrowing occurs at pulmonary valve
What is subvalvular pulmonary stenosis?
Narrowing below the pulmonary valve
What is supravalvular pulmonary stenosis?
Narrowing occurs in pulmonary artery
What are the symptoms of Pulmonary Stenosis?
Heart murmur
Cyanosis: Bluish tint of skin or lips.
Fatigue and weakness
Chest pain
How do you diagnose Pulmonary Stenosis?
ECHO
How do you treat Pulmonary Stenosis?
- Observation if not severe
- Otherwise, surgery to repair/stent
What is Tetralogy of Fallot?
Combination of 4 heart abnormalities
(PROV)
P – Pulmonary Stenosis
R – Right Ventricular Hypertrophy
O – Overriding Aorta
V- Ventricular Septal Defect
What are the symptoms of Tetralogy of Fallot?
- Cyanosis: Bluish tint of skin or lips
- Shortness of breath and rapid breathing: Especially during activity.
- Clubbing of fingers and toes: Due to chronic low oxygen levels.
- Poor weight gain and growth: Particularly in infants/young children.
How do you diagnose Tetralogy of Fallot?
ECHO
Chest x-ray (boot-shaped heart)
How do you treat Tetralogy of Fallot?
Surgery to repair – If done within 2 years of life, there is a good prognosis
What is Ventricular Septal Defect?
A hole in the ventricular septum, which allows blood to flow between the ventricles, creating a mixture of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood
What are the symptoms of Ventricular Septal Defect?
- Heart murmur
- Shortness of breath: Especially during feeding or exertion
- Frequent respiratory infections: Due to increased blood flow to the lungs.
- Difficulty gaining weight
- (Small defects may be asymptomatic)
How do you diagnose Ventricular Septal Defect?
ECHO
How do you treat Ventricular Septal Defect?
- Medications to manage non-severe cases
- Otherwise, surgery to repair the defect
