Congenital Heart Defects

Question 1

what is the most common congenital heart defect?

Answer 1

atrial septal defects

Question 2

what are examples of congenital heart defects?

Answer 2

• ATRIAL septal defects
• VENTRICULAR septal defects
• patent ductus ateriosus
• great vessel malformations

Question 3

in relation to a patients hands, what might be a tell-tale sign of impaired bodily function?

Answer 3

finger clubbing

Question 4

what cardiac diseases might be hinted at by finger clubbing?

Answer 4

• congenital cyanotic heart disease
• infective endocarditis
• atrial myxoma

Question 5

what are common symptoms of finger clubbing?

Answer 5

• bulging fingertips
• downward curved nails
• warm and red fingertips

Question 6

what is cyanosis? what are the different types?

Answer 6

cyanosis exists when there is 5g/dl or more of deoxygenated Hb in the blood

• central
• peripheral

Question 7

what can cause central cyanosis?

Answer 7

congenital heart disease

• poor oxygenation of the blood
• blue tongue

Question 8

what disease can cause peripheral cyanosis?

Answer 8

Raynaud’s disease

Question 9

what investigation may be done to look at congenital defects?

Answer 9

Doppler ultrasound scan

Question 10

what type of septal defect is more problematic and why?

Answer 10

Ventricular septal defect:

• higher endocarditis risk (more turbulent blood flow)
• higher risk of long term heart failure

Question 11

what is the treatment for septal defects?

Answer 11

• open heart surgery & direct closure of defect
• patch repair over the defect
• insertion of a mesh on each side of the defect via arterial access

Question 12

what is coarctation of the aorta?

Answer 12

narrowing of the aorta

Question 13

what is the condition called when the ductus fails to close

Answer 13

patent ductus arteriosus

Question 14

what is a patient more likely to suffer from if they have a congenital abnormality?

Answer 14

endocarditis risk