Congenital Heart Disease

Content of This Page

1- Introduction

2- Causes

3- Symptoms

4- Anomalies Associated With Congenital Heart Disease

5- Treatment

Introduction

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) refers to a group of heart defects present at birth. These abnormalities can affect the heart’s structure and function, such as holes in the heart, narrowed or leaky valves, or malformed arteries.

Causes

  • Genetic Factors: Inherited genetic mutations or chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome or Turner syndrome, can contribute to CHD.

  • Family History: A family history of heart defects or genetic conditions increases the risk of CHD.

  • Environmental Factors:

    • Maternal Infections: Infections like rubella during pregnancy can affect fetal heart development.
    • Maternal Health Conditions: Conditions such as diabetes, lupus, or phenylketonuria (PKU) can increase the risk.
    • Exposure to Drugs and Alcohol: Use of certain medications, drugs, or alcohol during pregnancy can affect fetal heart development.

  • Maternal Age: Advanced maternal age can be a risk factor for CHD.

  • Nutritional Deficiencies: Lack of certain nutrients, such as folic acid, may increase the risk of CHD.

  • Exposure to Toxins: Environmental toxins or certain chemicals during pregnancy can potentially impact heart development.

Symptoms

  • Cyanosis: Bluish tint to the skin, lips, or nails due to low oxygen levels in the blood.
  • Difficulty Breathing: Rapid or labored breathing, especially during feeding or physical activity.
  • Poor Feeding and Growth: Difficulty feeding, poor weight gain, or slow growth in infants.
  • Fatigue: Excessive tiredness or lethargy, particularly after activity.
  • Swelling: Swelling in the legs, abdomen, or around the eyes.
  • Heart Murmurs: Abnormal heart sounds detected by a doctor during a physical examination.
  • Frequent Respiratory Infections: Recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis.
  • Rapid Heart Rate: An unusually fast or irregular heartbeat.
  • Chest Pain: Discomfort or pain in the chest, more common in older children and adults.
© image from radiopaedia.org

Anomalies Associated With Congenital Heart Disease

1. Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)

  • Description: A hole in the wall (septum) between the heart’s upper chambers (atria).
  • Effect: Allows blood to flow between the atria.

2. Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)

  • Description: A hole in the wall between the heart’s lower chambers (ventricles).
  • Effect: Allows blood to flow between the ventricles.

3. Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)

  • Description: A persistent opening between the aorta and pulmonary artery that should close after birth.
  • Effect: Allows blood to bypass the lungs and flow back into the aorta.

4. Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF)

  • Description: A combination of four heart defects: ventricular septal defect (VSD), pulmonary stenosis, right ventricular hypertrophy, and an overriding aorta.
  • Effect: Decreased oxygenated blood flow to the body.

5. Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA)

  • Description: The aorta and pulmonary artery are switched, causing oxygen-poor blood to flow to the body and oxygen-rich blood to flow to the lungs.
  • Effect: Oxygen-poor blood circulates through the body.

6. Coarctation of the Aorta

  • Description: A narrowing of the aorta that restricts blood flow.
  • Effect: Increased blood pressure before the narrowing and decreased blood flow beyond it.

7. Pulmonary Stenosis

  • Description: Narrowing of the outflow tract from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery.
  • Effect: Obstructs blood flow from the right ventricle to the lungs.

8. Aortic Stenosis

  • Description: Narrowing of the aortic valve, which impedes blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta.
  • Effect: Obstructs blood flow to the body.

9. Tricuspid Atresia

  • Description: The tricuspid valve is absent or malformed, affecting blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle.
  • Effect: Affects the heart’s ability to pump blood to the lungs.

Treatment

1. Medications

  • Purpose: To manage symptoms and support heart function.
  • Types: Diuretics to reduce fluid buildup, ACE inhibitors to lower blood pressure, and medications to help with heart rhythm or blood thinning.

2. Surgical Procedures

  • Purpose: To repair or correct the heart defect.
  • Types:
    • Septal Repair: For atrial or ventricular septal defects.
    • Valve Repair or Replacement: For defects involving heart valves.
    • PDA Closure: To close a patent ductus arteriosus.
    • Corrective Surgery: For complex conditions like Tetralogy of Fallot or Transposition of the Great Arteries.

3. Catheter-Based Procedures

  • Purpose: To treat some defects using minimally invasive techniques.
  • Types:
    • Balloon Angioplasty: To widen narrowed vessels or valves.
    • Device Closure: To close holes such as atrial septal defects using a catheter.

4. Lifestyle and Supportive Care

  • Purpose: To support overall health and well-being.
  • Recommendations:
    • Healthy Diet: To support heart health.
    • Regular Exercise: As advised by a healthcare provider.
    • Regular Follow-Up: Monitoring heart function and development.

5. Long-Term Management

  • Purpose: To manage ongoing care and monitor for potential complications.
  • Includes:
    • Routine Check-Ups: With a cardiologist.
    • Echocardiograms and Other Tests: To assess heart function.

6. Heart Transplant

  • Purpose: For severe cases where other treatments are not effective.
  • Type: Replacement of the damaged heart with a donor heart.
Scroll to Top

Terms and Conditions