Cardiovascular Dysfunction Overview

Check the affected limb for coolness or paleness (blanching), which could signal a blocked artery.

Check vital signs (especially heart rate) every 15 minutes for a while, to watch for heart rhythm problems or very slow heartbeats.

Low blood pressure after a procedure might mean blood loss (hemorrhage).

Carefully look at the procedure wound for bleeding or a bruise (hematoma).

Keeping well-hydrated after a procedure (IV fluids and drinks) is important to prevent low blood volume (hypovolemia).

Check blood glucose levels (especially in infants with dextrose), watch out for low sugar levels.

If bleeding happens, put pressure on the area just above the surface wound to stop bleeding by pinching the vessel.

About 1 in 110 babies born in the U.S have CHD (some serious, requiring immediate care within first year)

Heart defects where narrowed areas (stenosis) restrict blood flow out of the heart, causing higher pressure before the narrowing and lower pressure after it.

Narrowing of the heart valve itself, restricting blood flow.

Narrowing below the heart valve, in the ventricle's outflow tract.

Narrowing above the heart valve, in the large artery (e.g., aorta).

Narrowing of the aorta (major artery carrying blood from the heart) near the ductus arteriosus, causing high blood pressure in the upper body and low blood pressure in the lower body.

Narrowing of the aortic valve restricts blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta, leading to decreased cardiac output and potential heart failure.

Aortic valve with two flaps instead of three, often a cause of aortic stenosis.

Narrowing of the pulmonic valve, restricting blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery.

A procedure to replace the pulmonary valve, often necessary later in life for patients with chronic pulmonary regurgitation, right ventricular enlargement, or aortic dilation.

A congenital heart defect where the tricuspid valve is absent, preventing blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle.

Blood must flow from the right atrium to the left side of the heart through an ASD or patent foramen ovale, then on to the lungs.

Blood mixing in the left ventricle results in reduced oxygen levels in the body (systemic desaturation) because of the abnormal blood flow.

Heart defects where oxygenated and deoxygenated blood mix, leading to low oxygen levels in the body and potential lung congestion.

Common signs of mixed defects include blue skin (cyanosis) due to low oxygen and signs of heart failure (CHF) due to the heart's struggle.

A medication used to keep the ductus arteriosus open in infants with certain heart defects, allowing blood flow to the lungs.

Tricuspid atresia is managed with multiple surgeries over time to create a single ventricle circulation.

A serious heart defect where the aorta and pulmonary artery are switched, leading to two separate circulatory loops without direct communication. This means oxygen-rich blood doesn't reach the body, and oxygen-poor blood doesn't reach the lungs.

Babies with TGA can only survive if they have other heart defects like a hole between the chambers (ASD, VSD) or a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), allowing some mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.

Babies with TGA often have severe cyanosis (blue skin) and heart failure at birth. The severity of symptoms depends on how much mixing of blood occurs.

Babies with TGA need immediate surgery to switch the aorta and pulmonary artery back to their correct positions. The surgery is called an "arterial switch operation".

A complex heart defect where the pulmonary veins (carrying oxygen-rich blood from the lungs) connect abnormally to the systemic venous system instead of the left atrium. This means oxygenated blood is blocked from entering the heart properly.

Babies with TAPVC need an ASD or a patent foramen ovale (a hole between the heart chambers) to let some oxygenated blood reach the left atrium and enter systemic circulation.

TAPVC requires surgical correction to connect the pulmonary veins to the left atrium. Often, a small hole (ASD) is created or left open during the surgery.

With timely surgical correction, babies with TAPVC can have a good outcome, but they typically need life-long monitoring and care.

A condition where the heart can't pump blood effectively, leading to fluid buildup in the body.

CHF in young patients may require intensive care due to severe symptoms. Emotional support for both child and family is crucial, especially in end-stage cases.

A medication commonly used to improve heart contractions. It has a narrow therapeutic range, meaning correct dosage is vital to avoid toxicity.

Checking the heartbeat at the heart's apex is essential before administering Digoxin to ensure the heart is working correctly.

Limiting fluids is often necessary for patients with CHF to reduce fluid buildup in the body.

Sometimes patients with CHF need to limit salt intake to prevent fluid retention.

Providing a comfortable environment, minimizing stress, and easing breathing helps reduce the heart's workload.

Supplementing oxygen helps ensure enough oxygen reaches the body's tissues, supporting the heart's function.

CHF is a condition where the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs due to weakened heart muscle, structural problems, or excessive demands.

The right ventricle, responsible for pumping blood to the lungs, is weakened and can't pump effectively, causing blood to back up in the body.

The left ventricle, responsible for pumping blood to the body, is weakened, causing blood to back up in the lungs.

Both the right and left ventricles of the heart are affected, leading to both systemic and pulmonary congestion.

The body's stress response kicks in, trying to compensate for the weakened heart by increasing heart rate and tightening blood vessels.

Signs of a weak heart include fast heartbeat, sweating, low urine output, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, pale skin, and a gallop rhythm.

Signs of fluid buildup in the lungs include rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, retractions, flaring nostrils, intolerance to exercise, orthopnea (shortness of breath when lying down), cough, hoarseness, bluish skin, wheezing, and grunting.

Signs of blood backup in the body include weight gain, enlarged liver, swollen legs, fluid in the abdomen, and swollen neck veins.