Tetralogy of Fallot
Pronunciation[edit | edit source]
Tetralogy of Fallot is pronounced te-tral-uh-jee of Fal-oh.
What is Tetralogy of Fallot?[edit | edit source]
Tatrology of Fallot is a birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart. A tetralogy simply means four things and the Tetrology of Fallot involves the following four defects:
- A ventricular septal defect
- Pulmonary stenosis
- The aortic valve connects to both ventricles as opposed to only the left, and it sits directly on top of the ventricular septal defect.
- The muscular wall of the lower right ventricle is thicker than normal called ventricular hypertrophy.
Critical congenital heart defect[edit | edit source]
Because a baby with tetralogy of Fallot may need surgery or other procedures soon after birth, this birth defect is considered a critical congenital heart defect.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
This heart defect leads to cyanosis. Infants with tetralogy of Fallot can have a bluish-looking skin color―called cyanosis―because their blood doesn’t carry enough oxygen. At birth, infants might not have blue-looking skin, but later might develop sudden episodes of bluish skin during crying or feeding. These episodes are called tet spells.
- Infants with tetralogy of Fallot or other conditions causing cyanosis can have problems including:
- A higher risk of getting an infection of the layers of the heart, called endocarditis.
- A higher risk of having irregular heart rhythms, called arrhythmia.
- Dizziness, fainting, or seizures, because of the low oxygen levels in their blood.
- Delayed growth and development.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Tetralogy of Fallot may be diagnosed during pregnancy or soon after a baby is born.
During Pregnancy[edit | edit source]
A fetal echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart of the fetus which show problems with the structure of the heart and how the heart is working with this defect.
After a Baby Is Born[edit | edit source]
- Tetralogy of Fallot usually is diagnosed after a baby is born, often after the infant has an episode of turning blue during crying or feeding (a tet spell).
- Some findings on a physical exam may make the health care provider think a baby may have tetralogy of Fallot, including bluish-looking skin (cyanosis) or a heart murmur.
- The most common test is an echocardiogram.
- Pulse oximetry is a simple bedside test to estimate the amount of oxygen in a baby’s blood.
- Low levels of oxygen in the blood can be a sign of a critical CHD.
- Newborn screening using pulse oximetry can identify some infants with a critical CHD, like tetralogy of Fallot, before they show any symptoms.
Treatments[edit | edit source]
- Tetralogy of Fallot can be treated by surgery soon after the baby is born.
- During surgery, doctors widen or replace the pulmonary valve and enlarge the passage to the pulmonary artery.
- They also will place a patch over the ventricular septal defect to close the hole between the two lower chambers of the heart.
- These actions will improve blood flow to the lungs and the rest of the body.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
- Most infants will live active, healthy lives after surgery. However, they will need regular follow-up visits with a cardiologist.
- As adults, they may need more surgery or medical care for other possible problems.
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD