Congenital Heart Defects Quiz

Overview of Congenital Heart Defects and Abnormalities

• The heart begins as a tube of myoblasts and endothelial cells, and starts beating around the fourth week of development.
• Defects in left-right dynein can lead to dextrocardia, while Situs inversus can result from left to right defects.
• Down Syndrome commonly results in AV canal defects, while septum primum and septum secundum form the atrial septum.
• Patent foramen ovale is caused by the failure of septum primum and septum secundum to fuse after birth, and can lead to paradoxical emboli.
• Ventricular septal defects are the most common congenital cardiac anomaly, with a membranous defect being more common than a muscular defect.
• Neural crest cells interact with endocardial cells to form the aortico pulmonary septum, which can result in transposition of the great vessels if it fails to rotate properly.
• Multiple abnormal communications, such as VSDs, ASDs, and PFOS, are necessary for infants to survive when the pulmonary and systemic circulations are separate.
• Conotruncal abnormalities associated with the failure of neural crest cells to migrate include transposition of great arteries, Tetralogy of Fallot, and persistent truncus arteriosus.
• Tetralogy of Fallot is characterized by pulmonary outflow tract obstruction, a VSD, right ventricular hypertrophy, and an overriding aorta.
• The stenotic opening of the pulmonary outflow tract results in high pressures for the right ventricle, leading to RVH.
• RVH can result in a classic chest X-ray appearance, known as a "boot" due to the heart's shape.
• Treatment for congenital heart defects may involve surgery, medication, or lifestyle changes, and early detection and intervention are important for better outcomes.