Tetralogy of Fallot

Question 1

There is a wide spectrum of ways in which Tetralogy of Fallot can present.

What are the 4 most common defects seen in Tetralogy of Fallot?

Answer 1

1. ) VSD
2. ) Overriding Aorta over the VSD
3. ) Pulmonary Valve Stenosis or Atresia
4. ) RV Hypertrophy

Question 2

In some infants and children with Tetralogy of Fallot there can be profound narrowing of the right ventricular outflow tract. Because of the severe narrowing what may happen?

Answer 2

Right-to-left shunt and go out the aorta instead of going to the lungs. If this is the case, the infant or child can become quite blue (cyanotic).

Question 3

In fact, the most severe form of Tetralogy of Fallot is with pulmonary atresia where no blood can cross from the right ventricle to the pulmonary arteries and lungs. In these infants it is necessary to do what?

Answer 3

Begin (Prostaglandin E1) to help keep open the Ductus Arteriosis (a vessel connecting the aorta to the pulmonary artery that usually closes soon after birth.

Question 4

Babies with Tetralogy of Fallot may experience intermittent spells of extreme cyanosis, termed?

Answer 4

“tetralogy spells,” or hypercyanotic spells.