Strong Heart and Vascular Center
Heart Conditions
Cyanotic Defects
In cyanotic defects, the blood does not contain enough oxygen, usually due to a developmental defect that hinders blood flow through the lungs. This lack of oxygen causes a bluish color to the skin (cyanosis). Babies with this defect are often called "blue babies."
Types
- Tetralogy of Fallot - A combination of defects:
a ventricular septal defect
that allows blood to bypass the lungs; a narrowing just below
the pulmonary valve that hinders blood flow from the right
side
of the heart to the lungs; an abnormally muscular right ventricle;
aorta positioned directly above the septal defect.
- Transposition of the great arteries - Positions
of the pulmonary artery and the aorta are reversed, allowing
blood flow to bypass the lungs.
- Tricuspid atresia - No tricuspid valve develops.
Therefore, blood is unable to flow from the right atrium to
the right ventricle. The right ventricle is underdeveloped
and does not allow normal circulation.
- Pulmonary atresia - No pulmonary valve exists.
Blood is unable to flow from the right ventricle into the
pulmonary
artery and then to the lungs. The right ventricle and the tricuspid
valve are often underdeveloped as well.
- Truncus arteriosus - The aorta and pulmonary
artery are formed from one artery.
- Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection - The pulmonary veins are not connected to the left atrium, and the oxygen-rich blood must flow into the right atrium through abnormal connections. Change in circulation hinders amount of oxygen-rich blood flowing through the body.
Symptoms of Cyanotic Defects
The primary symptom of any of these defects is cyanosis, the medical term for the bluish tint of the skin that occurs due to lack of oxygen.
Treatment Options
Typically, surgery is required to correct these defects and provide proper circulation to the body. Many procedures may be performed during infancy, but timing will depend upon the severity of the defect and the overall health of the child.
Neonatal/Congenital Heart Surgery
Return to Congenital Heart Disease