Congenital heart defects are structural problems with the heart or major blood vessels that are present from birth. They can range from simple holes in the heart walls to complex defects that alter how blood flows through the lungs and body.
Types of Congenital Heart Defects
These defects are broadly grouped into two categories:
- Acyanotic Defects (Normal Oxygen Levels): Blood flows abnormally but oxygen levels remain near normal. Examples include:
- Atrial Septal Defect (ASD): A hole in the wall (septum) separating the two upper chambers.
- Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD): A hole in the wall separating the two lower chambers.
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA): An abnormal connection between the aorta and pulmonary artery.
- Cyanotic Defects (Lower Oxygen Levels): Structural problems redirect blood, sending oxygen-poor blood to the rest of the body, often giving the skin a bluish tint. Examples include:
- Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF): A combination of four distinct heart defects.
- Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA): The two main arteries leaving the heart are reversed.
Surgical Treatment
Depending on the defect, surgery may be performed shortly after birth or later in childhood. Repairs are designed to close holes, repair valves, widen narrow blood vessels, or redirect blood flow back to its proper path. Close coordination between pediatric cardiologists and cardiac surgeons is key to securing the best outcome for the child.