Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart diseases are lesions, caused by abnormal development of the

structures of the heart. This happens in the embryonic life due to environmental or

unknown factors. The cause of congenital disease is usually unknown, but there are

multifactor reasons that are incriminated. They are said to be sporadic. This meaning that

it is not secluded to one geographic location. However this incidence is increased in those

with a positive family history associated with this kind of heart disease. Congenital heart

disease also known as CAD is part of several syndromes like Down syndrome and others.

They are associated with factors like maternal alcohol ingestion and some drugs like

thalidomide, which were prescribed medications that are no longer on the market, folic

acid, and others. They are also associated with maternal diabetes, which doubles one’s

chance of contracting this abnormal development or defect.

Currently there are over 15 different types of heart diseases. Most of these

defects seem to be centered upon the five main areas around the heart. The atria, veins,

ventricles, aorta and the four valves (tricuspid valve, pulmonary artery, mitral valve and

aortic valve.) There are a number of ways that the defects can occur. This can be due to

abnormal connections, leakage or narrowing in any of the four valves or veins.

Congenital heart disease is currently the most common of all major birth defects

with approximately 36,000 American-born babies every year with CHD, according to the

American Heart Association (AHA) 2004 Heart and Stroke Statistical Update.

Although there are different signs that arise depending on the specific defect the majority

is classified as cyanotic. This is the appearance of bluish color to the skin, lips and

fingernails. Cyanotic heart diseases are the ones that are incompatible in life without

early intervention. This being due to the mixing of oxygenated blood with deoxygenated

blood at the level of the heart or arteries.

One common example is (VSD) ventricular septal defect. This defect is usually

located in the left or right ventricle by the appearance of a hole. Other lesions are

pulmonary stenosis, which reduces blood flow to the lungs as well as tetralogy of fallots,

a condition that involves the “tetralogy” of the following four elements (enlargement of

the right ventricle, narrowing of the pulmonic valve aligning the displaced aorta and

tricuspid atresia, which is a complete closure of the tricuspid valve. This will prevent

blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle.

Early diagnosis and proper medical intervention is key such as oxygen;

prostaglandin injections, antibiotics or surgical procedures which are crucial for longer

cure. This all depend on physical findings and interpretations of laboratory data such as

electrocardiogram (EKG) or echocardiogram as well as chest x-rays and magnetic

resonance imaging (MRI). The most effective way of detecting fetal CAD abnormalities

still relies on amniocentesis and chorionic villi sampling.

Today it is a lot different, with the ever increasing