Fetal and Postnatal Cardiovascular Development

Specialized tissue structures that play a crucial role in forming the heart's septa, dividing the atria and ventricles. They're involved in the development of the atrioventricular (AV) valves and closing the atrial septum.

An opening between the right and left atria in the fetal heart, allowing blood to bypass the pulmonary circulation. It typically closes shortly after birth.

A fetal blood vessel connecting the pulmonary artery to the aorta, diverting blood away from the lungs. It typically closes shortly after birth.

A fetal blood vessel connecting the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava, allowing oxygenated blood from the placenta to bypass the liver. It closes shortly after birth.

The circulatory system before birth, characterized by shunts that bypass the lungs and a different blood flow pattern compared to postnatal circulation.

The circulatory system after birth, characterized by the closing of fetal shunts and the establishment of the normal pattern of blood flow.

The resistance to blood flow through the pulmonary circulation, which decreases dramatically at birth as the lungs expand.

The resistance to blood flow through the systemic circulation, which increases significantly at birth due to the loss of the placenta.

Abnormal connection between the left and right sides of the heart, allowing oxygenated blood to flow back to the lungs.

Bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to low oxygen levels in the blood.

A rare heart defect where the main artery (truncus) doesn't split into the aorta and pulmonary artery, resulting in mixed blood flow to the body and lungs.

A complex heart defect with four features: ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis, overriding aorta, and right ventricular hypertrophy. It restricts blood flow to the lungs, causing cyanosis.

A serious defect where the aorta and pulmonary artery are switched, preventing oxygenated blood from reaching the body.

A rare defect where the pulmonary veins don't connect to the left atrium, forcing blood to the right atrium and causing cyanosis.

Heart defects with only one functioning ventricle, requiring multiple surgeries for survival.

Congenital heart defects that significantly impact blood flow and require surgical or interventional treatment.

As systemic vascular resistance (SVR) increases, the left ventricle of the heart has to work harder to pump blood. This causes the muscle walls of the left ventricle to thicken and become more dominant, similar to the adult heart.

The majority of congenital heart defects form during the fourth week of pregnancy. This is a crucial time for heart development.

Maternal conditions like viral infections, diabetes, exposure to drugs and alcohol, metabolic disorders, and advanced maternal age can increase the risk of a baby having a CHD.

CHDs are categorized based on how they affect blood flow. They can increase or decrease blood flow to the lungs, obstruct blood flow through the heart chambers, or cause mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.

Heart failure symptoms in children with CHDs are similar to adults, but with the addition of failure to thrive (FTT). These symptoms arise from increased blood volume and pressure in the lungs, or from the heart muscle weakening.

Cyanosis, a bluish skin discoloration, indicates low oxygen levels in the blood. It can be caused by defects that reduce blood flow to the lungs, overload the lungs with blood, or cause unoxygenated blood to flow into the body.

Congenital heart defects that create open connections between the heart's chambers or major vessels allow blood to flow from one system to another, mixing oxygenated and deoxygenated blood and increasing blood volume and pressure on the receiving side.

Acyanotic CHDs, which don't cause cyanosis, can have openings like a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), atrial septal defect (ASD), ventricular septal defect (VSD), atrioventricular canal defect (AVC), or truncus arteriosus. These openings allow blood to flow from the left side of the heart (systemic circulation) to the right side (pulmonary circulation), increasing blood flow to the lungs.