A condition in which deoxygenated blood flows directly back into the circulation rather than through the lungs, due to an abnormal connection between the left and right sides of the heart and pulmonary hypertension. The resultant hypoxia causes cyanosis, fainting, and breathing difficulty. The disorder most often occurs in people with certain congenital heart defects (see heart disease, congenital), such as ventricular septal defect, that have not been corrected. The diagnosis is confirmed by cardiac catheterization. Once Eisenmenger complex has developed, surgical correction of the original defect will not help. Drug treatment may control symptoms.
Eisenmenger complex |
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