Tetralogy of Fallot

Definition:

Tetralogy of Fallot is a combination of four heart defects that often happen at the same time. The defects include a hole between the ventricles (a ventricular septal defect) which allows oxygen-poor blood to mix with oxygen-rich blood; narrowing of the outlet to the pulmonary artery (and sometimes an abnormal pulmonary valve) which partially blocks blood flow from the right ventricle to the lungs; an aorta that straddles the wall between the ventricles, allowing oxygen-poor blood to flow through the ventricular septal defect and into the aorta, and thickened and enlarged heart muscle tissue in the right ventricle.

Tetralogy presents with cyanosis except when it is Pink Tetralogy of Fallot where there is increased pulmonary blood flow and less cyanosis.

Pentalogy of Fallot includes everything that is found in Tetralogy of Fallot along with ASD or PFO


PFO - Patent Foramen Ovale (Definition from the Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/patent-foramen-ovale/DS00728 )

In normal fetal development, a small, flap-like opening — the foramen ovale (fo-RA-mun o-VA-le) — is present between the right and left upper chambers of the heart (right atrium and left atrium).

The foramen ovale usually closes within the first or second year of life. However, in at least one out of four people, this opening persists throughout life. This condition, called patent foramen ovale (PFO), may allow blood to flow from the heart's right atrium to the left atrium and vice versa.

ASD - Atrial Septal Defect (Mayo Clinic - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/atrial-septal-defect/DS00628)

An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a hole in the wall between the two upper chambers of your heart. The condition is present from birth (congenital). Smaller atrial septal defects may close on their own during infancy or early childhood.

Cyanosis - (Texas Heart Institute - http://www.texasheartinstitute.org/HIC/Topics/Cond/cyanosis.cfm)

Cyanosis is a condition in which the lips, fingers, and toes appear blue. It happens in some people with congenital heart defects that cause the blood to circulate abnormally.

I will try and come up with a more personal post at some point soon.

From my heart to yours,

Colleen