Atrial Septal Defect Signs, Symptoms, and Management

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)

• Shortness of breath, especially when exercising, is a common symptom
• Fatigue, swelling of legs, feet, or abdomen, heart palpitations, and skipped beats are other symptoms
• Heart murmur, a whooshing sound, can be heard through a stethoscope
• Treatment depends on the size of the hole in the heart
• Small ASDs may close spontaneously, while others may not require surgery
• Medications like beta blockers and anticoagulants may be used to manage symptoms
• Surgery to close the defect is usually done electively between 1 and 3 years of age
• Catheter-based repair uses a mesh patch or plug to close the hole
• Open-heart surgery may be necessary for primum, sinus venosus, and coronary sinus atrial defects

Complications of ASD

• Right-sided heart failure
• Heart rhythm abnormalities (arrhythmias)
• Increased risk of stroke
• Shortened life span
• Less common complications include Eisenmenger syndrome, which is a type of pulmonary hypertension

Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)

• The ductus arteriosus is essential for maintaining fetal systemic perfusion before delivery
• It is a type of congenital heart defect

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)

• Symptoms include high degree of cyanosis, polycythemia, severe dyspnea, growth restriction, and clubbing of the fingers
• Children with TOF may assume a squatting or knee-chest position when resting
• Management includes oxygen administration, small and frequent meals, and limiting strenuous activities
• Corrective surgery is necessary to prevent growth and development restriction

Surgery Management for TOF

• Temporary surgery includes Blalock-Taussig shunt and Waterston shunt
• Permanent surgery involves full repair to relieve pulmonary stenosis and patching the ventricular septal defect (VSD)

Complications of TOF

• Pulmonary hypertension
• Infectious endocarditis

Disorders with Obstruction to Blood Flow

• Obstructive defects include pulmonary stenosis, aortic stenosis, and coarctation of the aorta

Pulmonary Stenosis

• Symptoms include cyanosis, heart murmur, chest pain, and shortness of breath
• Treatment options include balloon dilation, valvuloplasty, valvotomy, valvectomy, and pulmonary valve replacement

Aortic Stenosis

• It is a narrowing of the aortic valve opening, restricting blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta
• Symptoms include a typical murmur, faint pulses, hypotension, tachycardia, and inability to suck for long periods
• Causes include congenital heart defect, bicuspid aortic valve, calcium buildup on the valve, and rheumatic fever