A form of congenital heart disease in which the heart has 4 coexisting anomalies: displacement of the aorta, narrowing of the pulmonary valve, a hole in the ventricular septum, and thickening of the right ventricle wall. These cause poor oxygenation of the blood pumped to the body, resulting in cyanosis and breathlessness. Tetralogy of Fallot occurs in about 1 in 1,000 infants. Affected infants appear normal at birth. Severely affected infants may become cyanosed and breathless early in life. Other symptoms include failure to gain weight and poor development. An ECG, echocardiogram (see echocardiography), and sometimes cardiac catheterization are performed to confirm the diagnosis and assess the severity of the condition. The disorder is corrected by open heart surgery.
Tetralogy of Fallot |
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