Patho Congenital Heart Disease Sherpath Lesson

Which classification of heart defect results in oxygenated systemic blood flow, but at a reduced rate?

Acyanotic

Which congenital heart defects are acyanotic in nature?

Atrial septal defect (ASD) Coarctation of aorta Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)

Cardiac heart defects are estimated to affect approximately how many infants per year?

40,000

Which statements describe coarctation of the aorta?

A typically asymptomatic condition, but may present with dyspnea and feeding difficulties. Narrowing or constriction of the aorta reduces blood flow to systemic circulation, causing the extremities to be cold with weak pulse.

Place the blood flow through the heart in tetralogy of Fallot in the order that it occurs.

Blood collects in the right ventricle. Pulmonary valve stenosis restricts blood outflow to the lungs. The buildup of pressure causes hypertrophy in the ventricle. Unoxygenated blood is forced into systemic circulation through an aortic dextraposition which is positioned over VSD. The body receives a mix of oxygenated and unoxygenated blood, causing cyanosis.

Which is the rationale for the reversal of blood flow shunts in septal defects?

Blood flow from one shunt builds up pressure in the opposing ventricle causing a reversal of the shunt.

Which explains the flow of blood in ventricular septal defect (VSD)?

Blood from the left side of the heart is recycled to the right side and to the lungs, resulting in more blood entering the pulmonary circulation, some of which is already oxygenated.

Which heart defect manifests as a narrowing of the artery, typically closest to the heart, and causes a weakened pulse in the extremities.

Coarctation of aorta

Which are presenting symptoms of transposition of vessels in a newborn?

Cyanosis and dyspnea

Which manifestations are associated with an intolerance to exercise common to individuals with heart defects?

Dyspnea Tachypnea Tachycardia

Congenital heart defects are caused by which factors?

Genetic, environmental and social

Which is a manifestation common to all heart defects, regardless of location or classification?

Murmur

Which explains why tetralogy of Fallot is often referred to as "blue baby" syndrome?

Pulmonary valve stenosis causes a deficit of oxygen in the body due to the right-to-left shunt causing the entry of deoxygenated blood into the systemic circuit.

Which statement describes blood flow through an incompetent valve?

Regurgitation occurs in incompetence, allowing blood to backflow and not move forward easily.

From the illustrations, identify the type of heart defect present when the foramen ovale fails to close after birth.

Second illustration: Atrial septal defects are commonly caused by the failure of the foramen ovale to close right after birth, causing a heart murmur in infants.

Which are common signs and symptoms of congenital heart disease?

Tachycardia Pallor or cyanosis Dyspnea and tachypnea Marked intolerance to exercise and cold

Which congenital heart defect is characterized as cyanotic in nature?

Tetralogy of Fallot

From the illustrations, identify the type of heart defect that is most common and referred to as a "hole in the heart."

Third illustration: Ventricular septal defect is considered a "hole in the heart" and often repairs itself over the period of childhood, not after birth.

Which is the term describing failure of a valve to close completely, causing blood to regurgitate or leak backward?

Valvular incompetence

Which heart defect often heals before the end of childhood and is sometimes seen in conjunction with tetralolgy of Fallot?

Ventricular septal defect

Which defects are associated with tetralogy of Fallot?

Ventricular septal defect Pulmonary valve stenosis Dextraposition of the aorta Right ventricular hypertrophy

Which are causes of congenital heart defects?

Viral infections Maternal diabetes Chromosomal abnormalities Maternal alcohol consumption