Tetralogy of Fallot pathophysiology: Difference between revisions
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==Pathophysiology== | ==Pathophysiology== | ||
* Tetralogy of Fallot results in cyanosis, ([[hypoxia]] or [[low oxygenation]]) of the blood due to mixing of deoxygenated venous blood from the [[right ventricle]] with oxygenated blood in the [[left ventricle]] through the ventricular septal defect and preferential flow of both oxygenated and deoxygenated blood from the ventricles through the aorta because of obstruction to flow through the pulmonary valve. This is known as a right-to-left shunt. | * Tetralogy of Fallot results in cyanosis, ([[hypoxia]] or [[low oxygenation]]) of the blood due to mixing of deoxygenated venous blood from the [[right ventricle]] with oxygenated blood in the [[left ventricle]] through the ventricular septal defect and preferential flow of both oxygenated and deoxygenated blood from the ventricles through the aorta because of obstruction to flow through the pulmonary valve. This is known as a right-to-left shunt. | ||
* Children with Tetralogy of Fallot may develop acute severe [[cyanosis]] or [[hypoxic]] "tet spells". The mechanism underlying these episodes is | * Children with Tetralogy of Fallot may develop acute severe [[cyanosis]] or [[hypoxic]] "[[tet spells]]". The mechanism underlying these episodes is not entirely clear, but may be due to spasm of the pulmonary outflow tract. Whatever the mechanism, there is an increase in resistance to blood flow to the lungs with increased preferential flow of desaturated blood to the systemic circulation. The child will often squat during a Tet Spell to improve venous return to the right side of the heart. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 15:43, 16 April 2012
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [2], Keri Shafer, M.D. [3]; Atif Mohammad, M.D.; Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [4]
Overview
The obstruction of right ventricular outflow in Tetralogy of Fallot causes blood to shunt or flow from the right to left side of heart through the ventricular septal defect. This causes right ventricular hypertrophy and eventual right sided heart failure. There is flow of deoxygenated venous blood from the right side of the heart to the systemic circulation resulting in cyanosis.
Pathophysiology
- Tetralogy of Fallot results in cyanosis, (hypoxia or low oxygenation) of the blood due to mixing of deoxygenated venous blood from the right ventricle with oxygenated blood in the left ventricle through the ventricular septal defect and preferential flow of both oxygenated and deoxygenated blood from the ventricles through the aorta because of obstruction to flow through the pulmonary valve. This is known as a right-to-left shunt.
- Children with Tetralogy of Fallot may develop acute severe cyanosis or hypoxic "tet spells". The mechanism underlying these episodes is not entirely clear, but may be due to spasm of the pulmonary outflow tract. Whatever the mechanism, there is an increase in resistance to blood flow to the lungs with increased preferential flow of desaturated blood to the systemic circulation. The child will often squat during a Tet Spell to improve venous return to the right side of the heart.
See also
References
External links
- Information by University of Michigan Health System
- Diagram of the condition
- Information for adults with ToF from the Adult Congenital Heart Association
de:Fallot-Tetralogie it:Tetralogia di Fallot nl:Tetralogie van Fallot nn:Fallots tetrade uk:Тетрада Фалло