What is the Tetralogy of Fallot?
The heart is the vital organ of the body that pumps blood all through the body and collect back waste metabolites to be excreted. The heart has 4 chambers 2 upper atrium and 2 bottom ventricles. The atrium and ventricles are separated by valves, which provide unidirectional blood flow. The main purpose of the heart is oxygenation of blood. The left ventricle opens in the aorta that supplies oxygenated blood to the body via other arteries. The left ventricle and aorta are separated by an aortic valve.
Tetralogy of Fallot is a defect where four problems co-exist
Causes of the defect
Idiopathic or unknown cause, but tend to coincide with down syndrome or DiGeorge syndrome. Other risk factors include
How is Tetralogy of Fallot bad for my child?
Due to the hole between the left and right ventricle the oxygenated and deoxygenated blood mixes and less oxygenated blood is supplied to the body instead of being supplied to the lungs for oxygenation. Such children present as blue or cyanotic.
Presentation of the defect
How is it detected?
Symptoms are pretty evident but certain diagnostics are used to confirm its extent
Treatment
Surgery is the only apposite cure of Tetralogy of Fallot.
It also repairs or replaces the narrowed pulmonary valve and broadens the pulmonary arteries to enhance blood flow to the lungs.
More often than not, the defect is cured but a series of complications may develop
Due to the complications, regular follow up is extremely important. In many cases, re-surgery is required even more than once during the life span to relieve symptoms.
Lifestyle Modifications
Finding your little one to be in a grave danger like Tetralogy of Fallot is agonizing. But this is a battle that they have to fight. The chances of winning become extraordinary with you standing right by their side.
Dr. Rachit Saxena, Senior Consultant – Cardiac Surgery – Adult | Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Gurugram
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