Cyanotic Heart Diseases

Cyanotic heart diseases are congenital (present at the time of birth) diseases. It results in the defect of function or structure of heart blood vessels and causing abnormal blood flow. The abnormal connection between the right and left chambers results in bluish discoloration of skin and nail buds.

Types, Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

There are different types of cyanotic heart diseases due to different causes such as,

1. Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)

2. Transposition of the great arteries (TGA)

3. Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC)

4. Tricuspid atresia

5. Hypo plastic left heart syndrome

6. Truncus arteriosis

Tetralogy of fallot (TOF)

It is the most common type of congenital cyanotic heart disease. The main defects that happen in this disease are pulmonary stenosis, overriding aorta, ventricular septal defect and right ventricular hypertrophy. Almost no or insufficiently oxygenated blood is pumped throughout the body in tetralogy of fallot. This is due to the narrowing of pulmonary valves, defect between the opening of left and right ventricles, displacement of aorta and thickening of right ventricles. The bluish discoloration of skin occurs during crying and feeding. The main symptoms of tetralogy of fallot (TOF) are,

• Cyanosis
• Hypoxia
• Dyspnoea
• Systolic murmur
• low birth weight or slow weight gain
• Poor growth
• Squatting posture
• Clubbing or rounding of fingers and toes

The surgical treatment for tetralogy of fallot is a palliative shunt that increases oxygen saturation and pulmonary blood flow. There are two types of shunt, modified blalock taussing shunt and westerson shunt. Other procedures used are pott’s procedure and brock’s procedure. If the cyanosis is increasing to the next level, then complete elective repair can also be performed. You should improve the administration of oxygen to avoid the condition of cyanosis. You should give complete rest to your child and allow only minimum physical activities. You must give foods in smaller portions.

Transposition of the great arteries (TGA)

In transposition of the great arteries (TGA), aorta from the left ventricles and pulmonary artery from the right ventricles are exchanged. The aorta carries oxygenated blood from left ventricles to the body.  Pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricles to the lungs, where oxygenation occurs. When the transposition of these arteries occurs, then systemic and pulmonary circulation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood is disturbed. The most common symptoms of transposition of the great arteries (TGA) are,

• Cyanosis
• Dyspnoea
• low birth weight or slow weight gain
• Poor growth
• Clubbing or rounding of fingers
• Rapid cardiomegaly
• Fatigue
• Congestive heart failure
• Tachycardia
• Extreme sweating

The management of transposition of the great arteries includes mustard’s operation, blalock hanlon procedure and rash kind operation. You should improve the administration of oxygen to avoid the condition of cyanosis. Diuretics are also prescribed to reduce over hydration. You should give complete rest to your baby and avoid unreasonable crying.

Tricuspid atresia

The tricuspid valve is present between the right atria and ventricle. It consists of three tissue flaps called leaflets. In tricuspid atresia, the communication between the right atria and ventricle is lost. It results in systemic desaturation and pulmonary obstruction. There is a decrease in pulmonary blood flow. The symptoms of tricuspid atresia are,

• Cyanosis
• Tachycardia
• Rapid breathing
• Hypoxemia

The shunt is placed for the treatment of tricuspid atresia to increase the blood flow to the lungs. Another procedure used for atresia is fonton procedure to separate the oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. Dysrhythmias and pericardial effusions are the complications of tricuspid atresia.

Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC)

This disease occurs when the veins that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart, are connected to the right atria. They are supposed to attach with the left atria. It results in increased pulmonary venous hypertension and pulmonary arterial hypertension. It can also cause blockage in these veins. The main symptoms of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection are,

• Cyanosis
• Tachycardia
• Dyspnoea (Shortness of breath)
• Rapid breathing
• Poor growth
• Respiratory system infections

The aim of treatment in TAPVC is to restore the blood supply to the heart with the help of surgery. The surgeon connects the pulmonary veins to the left atria to repair this defect. If surgery is not performed, then it can cause different complications.

Hypo plastic left heart syndrome

It is a rare and complex disease.  The arteries and veins in the left side of the heart are under developmental process. So they don’t work properly. This disease occurs during the first eight weeks after birth. The exact cause is still unknown. The most common signs and symptoms are,

• Cyanosis
• Poor feeding
• Dyspnoea
• Pale or cool skin
• Loss of consciousness

The surgical treatment is used for the treatment of hypo plastic left heart syndrome. There are three types of operations, newborn operation within two weeks, a bi-directional Glenn within 4-6 months and fontan procedure within 18 months to 3 years of age.

Truncus arteriosis

It is a rare heart disease present at the time of birth. There are two blood vessels that come out of the heart, aorta and pulmonary artery. But in truncus arteriosis, there is only one vein that is coming out of the heart. This defect is treated with the help of surgery. The main symptoms are,

• Cyanosis
• Pounding heart
• Weak pulse
• Difficult breathing
• Poor feeding