Congenital heart disease
Congenital heart disease is heart disease that exists at the time of birth. Defects occur while the fetus is developing in the uterus and affect 8-10 out of every 1,000 children. Often structural defects of the heart leads to problems in pumping function and oxygenation of the blood. Rhythm problems are also associated with congenital heart disease. Congenital heart disease is often diagnosed at birth or even before birth by ultrasound. There are forms of congenital heart disease which may not be apparent until later in life. Congenital Heart disease occurs when the heart or blood vessels connected to the heart develop abnormally before the birth. The entire subject is quite complex and some links are listed below as resources.
Congenital Heart Disease is categorized as either cyanotic or acyanotic.
Cyanotic heart defects account for approximately 25% of all congenital heart disease occurs when deoxygenated blood circulates in the systemic circulation giving the patient a bluish complexion:
- Transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA)
- Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF)
- Tricuspid atresia
- Truncus arteriosus (Persistent)
- Total anomalous pulmonary return
- Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS)
- Pulmonary atresia (PA)
Non cyanotic heart defects (the patient circulates oxygenated blood) are common and in general better tolerated. In these the shunt is initially from left (oxygenated) to right ( non oxygenated). The heart does extra work (which can lead to heart failure in some cases) because the blood is pumped through the heart after it has already been oxygenated once. Non cyanotic defects include:
- Atrial Septal Defect
- Ventricular Septal Defect
- Patent ductus arteriosus and
- Coarctation of aorta
- Double outlet left/right ventricle
When the defect is long standing, the shunt can reverse and lead to cyanosis.
