Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) Flashcards
What is TOF? (Explain in detail)
TOF is a CHD made up of 4 other CHDs:
-VSD: A hole in the ventricular septum
-Pulmonary stenosis: Narrowing of the PV and the passage to the MPA
-Ventricular hypertrophy: The muscular wall of the RV is thicker than normal
-An enlarged AoV that receives blood from both ventricles and is located directly above the VSD.
What does TOF stand for?
Tetralogy of Fallot
What may infants with TOF need soon after birth?
Infants with TOF may need surgery or other procedures soon after birth.
Is TOF a critical CHD?
Yes
What is the most prominent symptom of TOF?
Cyanosis
What is cyanosis?
Cyanosis is the condition of having bluish lips, skin, and nails because of low blood oxygen levels.
Infants may not have cyanosis at birth, but later may… (1)
Infants may not have cyanosis at birth, but later may develop tet spells, which are sudden episodes of cyanosis during crying or feeding.
Why does cyanosis occur in infants with TOF?
Cyanosis occurs in infants with TOF because TOF can reduce the amount of oxygen in the blood.
What problems may infants with TOF or other conditions that cause cyanosis face? (4)
Answer in this format:
-A1 (what is it?)
-A2 (what is it?)
-A3 (why?)
-A4
-Higher risk of endocarditis (infection of the endocardium - the inner layer of the heart)
-Higher risk of arrhythmia (an irregular heart rhythm)
-Dizziness, fainting, or seizures (because of low oxygen levels in the blood)
-Delayed growth and development
When may TOF be diagnosed?
TOF may be diagnosed during pregnancy or soon after birth.
What tests may diagnose TOF during pregnancy?
-Screening tests/prenatal tests
-Ultrasound
If TOF is suspected from the tests during pregnancy, what further test may be requested?
Fetal echocardiogram
What are screening tests?
A screening test is any medical test.
What are prenatal tests?
Prenatal tests are medical tests taken during pregnancy
What is a fetal echocardiogram? (1) What does it show? (2)
A fetal echocardiogram is a more detailed ultrasound of a fetus’s heart. It shows problems with the structure of the heart and how the heart is working with the defect.
When is TOF usually diagnosed? (Be specific)
TOF is usually diagnosed after birth, often after the infant has had a tet spell.
_____ _____ may help doctors diagnose TOF, with findings such as _____ or a _____ _____.
Physical exams may help doctors diagnose TOF, with findings such as cyanosis or a heart murmur.
_____ _____ _____ _____ can help diagnose TOF before the infant _____ _____ by _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____, which indicates TOF.
Newborn pulse oximetry screening can help diagnose TOF before the infant displays symptoms by identifying low oxygen levels in the blood, which indicates TOF.
What is newborn pulse oximetry screening?
“Newborn pulse oximetry screening is a painless test that measures the amount of oxygen in a baby’s blood.”
If TOF is suspected, …
If TOF is suspected, more medical tests may be requested to confirm the diagnosis.
What is the most common test to confirm the diagnosis of TOF?
Echocardiogram
What will be needed for an infant with TOF soon after it is born?
Surgery
What are the goals of the surgeries that help treat TOF?
The goals of the surgeries that help treat TOF include:
-Widening or replacing the PV
-Enlarging the passage to the MPA
-Closing the VSD with a patch
-Improving blood flow to the lungs and to the rest of the body.
Most infants with TOF will live _____, _____ lives after surgery.
Most infants with TOF will live active, healthy lives after surgery.
What will most infants (with TOF) need after the surgery/surgeries? What is this for?
Most infants will need routine checkups with a cardiologist to monitor their progress.
Medical personnel will… (after the surgery/surgeries)
Medical personnel will check for other health conditions that might develop as infants get older.
For adults with TOF, …
For adults with TOF, they may need additional surgeries or medical care for other possible problems.
