Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital Heart defect and is understood to involve four anatomical abnormalities [though only three of them are always present].
It is the most common cyanotic heart defect and is one of the more common causes of the “blue baby syndrome”
Causes a low oxygen of the blood.
Blood with oxygen [oxygenated] mixes with blood without oxygen [deoxygenated]
This condition is seen in approximately 3-6 births out of 100,00.
The 4 anatomical abnormalities are:
1.) Ventricular Septal Defect
2.) Pulmonary Stenosis
3.) Overriding aorta
4.) Right ventricle hypertrophy (enlargement)
Symptoms
- Low oxygen
- Cyanosis
- Low birth weight
- Referred to as a Pink tet
- Heart murmur
- Difficulty in feeding
- Difficulty for infant to gain weight
- Clubbing of toes
- Syncope
Additional Anomalies that can be seen
In addition, tetralogy of Fallot may present with other anatomical anomalies, including:
- Stenosis of the left pulmonary artery [40-50% of patients]
- A bicuspid pulmonary valve [40% of patients]
- Right-sided aortic arch [25% of patients]
- Coronary Artery changes [15% of patients]
- Foramen Ovale
- Atrial Septal Defect
- Atrioventricular Septal Defect
- Anomalous Pulmonary venous return [partially or completely]
- Forked ribs
- Scoliosis
Treatment
Medicine
. Propranolol [Beta-Blocker]
. Morphine
. Phenylephrine – increases blood pressure
. Oxygen
. Palliative surgery
. Total Surgical repair
. Another surgery may be required around age 20
. Antibiotic treatment to limit possible Endocarditis
Without treatment mortality increases dramatically each year of survival