Mr. Surendra Sharma discusses several congenital heart diseases including their definitions, causes, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic evaluations, and management. He provides details on ventricular septal defect (VSD), atrial septal defect (ASD), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries, coarctation of the aorta, and pulmonary stenosis. The document contains in-depth information on the incidence, characteristics, and treatment of these common congenital heart conditions.

1. MR. SURENDRA SHARMA
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
AMITY
UNIVERSITY,GURGOAN
CONGENITAL HEART
DISEASES

2. INCIDENCE:
 The overall incidence of congenital heart diseases
is about
 8 – 10 percent per 1000 live births
Defect Percentage
VSD 25 – 30 %
PDA 10 %
ASD 10 %
Coarctation of aorta 6 %
TOF 5- 9 %

3. ETIOLOGY AND INCIDENCE
 Hereditary factors
 CHD affects 8 – 12 of every 1000 neonates
 Associated factor for CHD include
Ø Fetal or Maternal infection during the first trimester
(Rubella)
Ø Chromosomal abnormality (Trisomy 21, 18, 13)
Ø Maternal diabetes
Ø Teratogenic effects of drugs and alcohol
 Syndromes that include CHD
Ø Marfan`s syndrome : Mitral value prolapse
Ø Turner’s syndrome : Aortic value stenosis, COA
Ø William’s syndrome : Dysplastic pulmonary value
Ø Down syndrome : Triosomy

4. Congenital Heart diseases
Cyanotic heart Acyanotic heart Obstructive
diseases ( R to L shunt ) diseases ( L to R ) .Coarctation
of aorta
 Fallots tetrology . VSD . Vascular ring
 Transposition of greater . ASD . Pulmonary
stenosis
vessels
 . PDA . Aortic stenosis
 Tricuspid atresia

5. VENRICULAR SEPTAL DEFECT (VSD)
Definition
VSD is an abnormal communication between the two ventricles

8. Pathophysiology
Blood is shunted from the left to the right ventricles in most of the
cases due to the relatively high pressure of the left ventricles chamber
If the defect is large, the amount of blood shunted in to the right
ventricles may be quite large resulting in increased workload for both
ventricles
Right ventricles increased right ventricular out put and pulmonary
enlargement develops
Blood increased return to the left atrium, thus increasing the work
of the left ventricles, resulting in bi – ventricular hypertrophy
Pulmonary over circulation cause a change in the pulmonary
arterial bed, leading to increased pulmonary artery vascular resistance
High pulmonary vascular resistance can reverse the blood flow pattern
that leads to right to left shunt across the VSD
(Eisenmenger`s Syndrome) resulting in cyanosis

9. Clinical manifestation
Small VSD`s : usually a symptomatic; High spontaneous closure
rate during the first year of life
Large VSD`s:
 CHF – tachypnea, tachycardia, excessive sweating
 Frequent URI
 Poor weight gain, Failure to thrive
 Feeding difficulties
 Murmur present
 Pulmonary vascular obstructive diseases

10. Investigation
X. - ray chest - ventricular hypertrophy
 Small -Normal
 Moderate VSD - shunt vascularity (pulmonary plethora)
Ventricular hypertrophy
o Pulmonary artery increased size.
 Large VSD - Biventricular hypertrophy
 Increased pulmonary trunk
 Left arterial enlargement.
– Enlarged main pulmonary artery
--- Right ventricular hypertrophy
--- Peripheral pruning with apparent decrease in shunt
--- vascularity.

11. NORMAL HEART VSD - HYPERTROPHY

12.  ECG
 Echo and Doppler study
 Cardiac cauterization study
 Angiocardiography

13. Management of VSD:
Aims: -
1. To achieve normal growth by controlling ccf
2. Prevention and treatment of anemia
3. Prevention and treatment of infective endocarditis

14. 1. Medical management: -
1.CHF management :digoxin and diuretics(furasemide,
spironolactone) and after reduction
2. Avoid oxygen : - oxygen is a potent pulmonary
vasodilator and will increase blood flow in to the P.A
3.Increase caloric intake: fortify formula or breast milk to
make 24 to 30 caloz formula, supplemental
nasogastric feeds as needed.
4.Ineffective endocarditis prophylaxis for 6 months after
surgery.
2.Surgical treatment: -
 Corrective surgery done in first 2 years of life prevents
progression of pulmonary hypertension

15. Surgeries: -
1.Corrective surgery –patch graft – Dacron / Natural
2.Palliative surgery – Pulmonary artery banding
Complication:
1.C.H.F
2.Recurrent respiratory tract infection
3.Ineffective endocarditis
4.Failure to thrive: poor weight gain
5.Pulmonary arterial hypertension and
elsenmengerisation
6.Aortic or tricuspid regurgitation
7.Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

16. ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECT(ASD)
Definition: -
Atrial septal defect is an abnormal communication
between the two atria.

17. Pathophysiology:
Blood flows from the higher pressure left atrium
across the ASD in to the lower pressure right atrium.
Increased blood return to the right heart leads to right
ventricular volume over load.
Right ventricular dilatation
Increased pulmonary blood flow leads to elevated
pulmonary artery pressure.

19. Clinical manifestation: -
1. Usually a symptomatic
2. CHF
3. Frequent upper respiratory tract infection
4. Poor weight gain
5. Decreased exercise tolerance.
Diagnostic evaluation: -
1. X-Ray Right atrial and ventricular enlargement-
enlargement of pulmonary artery
2. E.C.G
3. Auscultation: soft systolic ejection murmur heard best at
the left upper sternal border.
4. Cardiac caterization

20. Management: -
1.Medical management
a).Monitor and reassess
b).Treatment with anticongestive therapy (digoxin and
lasix) may be necessary. if signs of CHF are present
c).Infective endocarditis prophylaxis for 6 months after
surgery or atrial occlusion devise is used.
2. Cardiac catherisation for placement of an atrial occlusion
device for ostium secundam defects.
3.Surgical intervention:
a) Primary repair suture closure of the ASD.
b) Patch repair of the ASD.

21. Complication:
 CHF
 Infective endocarditis
 Pulmonary hypertension
 Atrial arrhythmias.

22. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
Definition
This defect, which normally occurs during fetal life, short
circuits the normal pulmonary vascular system and allows
blood to mix between the pulmonary artery and the aorta.
Prior to birth, there is an open passageway between the two
blood vessels, which closes soon after birth. When it does
not close, some blood returns to the lungs. Patent ductus
arteriosus is often seen in premature infants.

23. Pathophysiology:
During fetal life, the ductus arteriosus allows blood to by pass the
pulmonary circulation and flow directly in to the systemic circulation.
After birth, the ductus arteriosus is no longer needed. Functional closure
usually occurs within 48 hrs after birth.
When the ductus arteriosus fails to close blood from the aorta ( high
pressure) flows in to the lower pressure PA.
Resulting in pulmonary over circulation
Increased pulmonary blood flow leads to a volume- loaded LV.

25. Clinical manifestation:
1. Growth retardation
2. External dyspnea
3. CCF
4. Pericardial pain
5. Cough
6. Dyspnoea
7. Tachypnoea.
8. Dyspnoea
9. Tacycardia
10. Hepato splenomegali
11. Machinery murmur. It is harsh and may be localized to
second left intercostals space or transmitted to left
clavicle to lower down (ie) left sternal border. It is
accomplished by a thrill.

26. Diagnostic evaluation: -
Chest X-Ray- cardiomegaly
ECG
ECHO
Cardiac catherization; raised pressure in right ventricles and
pulmonary artery.
Management: -
1.In the symptomatic premature neonate; Indomethacin. Given IV.
2.Medical management:
a) Monitor growth and development
b) Reassures for spontaneous PDA closure
c) Increase caloric intake as needed for normal weight gain
d) Diuretics: furusemide (lasix), spironolactone (Aldactone).
e) Ineffective endocarditis prophylaxis for 6 months after surgery.

27. 3.Cardiac catherization:
a) For small PDAs coil occlusion
b) For large PDAs closure device may be used.
4.Surgical management through PDA ligation.
Complication:
1. CHF, pulmonary oedema
2. Infective endocarditis
3. Pulmonary hypertension
4. Recurrent pneumonia.

28. TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

30. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
The blood normally returns from the systemic circulation to the
systemic circulation to the right atrium and right ventricles
The outflow of blood from the right ventricles is resisted by the
pulmonary stenosis so that the blood flows through the ventricular
septal defect in to the aorta
There is right to left shunt. Hypertrophy of the right ventricles occurs
as a result of the pressure exerted against the pulmonary stenosis.
Because, the blood from the right ventricles is unoxygenated, cyanosis
results.

31. Clinical manifestation: -
1. Cyanotic episodes: cyanotic spells may occur while
crying and after feeding. After cyanotic spells, there
may be limpness, fatigue and fainting.
2. Dyspnoea
3. Delayed physical growth and development
4. Pansystolic murmur may be heard at the middle to lower
sternal borders
5. Cyanosis- may be seen mucous membrane of the lips,
mouth and pharynx and in fingernails and toe- nails.
6. Clubbing of the fingers
7. Paroxysmal dyspneic attacks (anoxia, “ blue “ spells)
occur during the first 24 months of life and last for a
few minutes to hours.

32. Diagnosis: -
1. Blood studies.
2. X-Ray chest
3. ECG- right ventricular hypertrophy.
4. Echo- evidence of the aortic override, thick anterior right
ventricular wall and large aorta.
Medical and Nursing management:
 Palliative and corrective surgery for tetrology of fallot is
being done in infants and children of all ages.

33. Transposition of the great arteries
 This congenital heart defect, the positions of the pulmonary
artery and the aorta are reversed, thus:
o The aorta originates from the right ventricle, so most of the
blood returning to the heart from the body is pumped back out
without first going to the lungs.
o The pulmonary artery originates from the left ventricle, so that
most of the blood returning from the lungs goes back to the
lungs again

36. Pathophysiology: -
In this anomaly the aorta has its origin in the right ventricles and
pulmonary artery has its origins in the left ventricles.
Hence, the aorta carries unoxygenated blood to the systemic circulation
and the pulmonary circuit carries oxygenated blood back to the lungs.
The pulmonary venous return is to the left atrium and the systemic
veins returns to the right atrium.
There is two separate circulatory systemic exist, one pulmonary and
one systemic. An infant can survive with this malformation initially only
if an associated with defect or PDA is present
There co-existing lesions provide a means for mixing venous and arterial
blood.

37. Clinical manifestation: -
1. Cyanosis from neonatal period and polycythemia
2. Congestive cardiac failure
3. Hypercapnoea due to low arterial oxygen
4. Delayed growth and development
5. Metabolic acidosis
6. Clubbing of the finger and toes.
Diagnostic evaluation: -
1. Physical examination – if defect is there murmur can be heard
2. X-ray- cardiomegaly and increased pulmonary vasculature
3. Fluoroscopy- egg shaped” cardiac contour can be identified
4. Echo- Right ventricular hypertrophy
5. ECG
6. Angiocardiography
Cardiac catherization

38. Treatment: -
 Procedure used for the treatment of transposition of the
great vessels are palliative and corrective.

39. Coarctation of the aorta
 Aortic coarctation is a narrowing of part of the
aorta (the major artery leading out of the heart). It
is a type of birth defect. Coarctation means
narrowing. It accounts for 8 -10% of CHD and is 2
to 5 time more common in male.

41. Obstructive

42. Causes
 The aorta carries blood from the heart to the vessels
that supply the body with blood and nutrients. If part
of the aorta is narrowed, it is hard for blood to pass
through the artery.
 Aortic coarctation is more common in Turner
syndrome.
 Coarctation of the aorta may be seen with other
congenital heart defects, such as:
 Bicuspid aortic valve
 Defects in which only one ventricle is present
 Ventricular septal defect

43. Clinical manifestation
 Asymptomatical until the PDA begin to close
 After PDA closure:-
 Sever CHF
 Tachypnea
 Acidosis
 Prograsive circulatory shock
 Absent femoral and pedal pulses

44.  Chest pain
 Cold feet or legs
 Dizziness or fainting
 Decreased ability to exercise
 Failure to thrive
 Leg cramps with exercise
 Nosebleed
 Poor growth
 Pounding headache

45. Diagnostic evaluation
1. Physical examination –The pulse in the groin
(femoral) area or feet will be weaker than the pulse in
the arms or neck (carotid). Sometimes, the femoral
pulse may not be felt at all and murmur sound can be
heard ,
2. X-ray- cardiomegaly
3. ECG
4. Echo- Right ventricular hypertrophy
5. Angiocardiography
6. Cardiac catherization
7. Heart CT may be needed in older children
8. MRI or MR angiography of the chest may be
needed in older children

46. Management
1. Medical Menagement
 Resuscitation and stabilization with Prostaglandin E1
infusion
 Intubation and ventilation as needed
 Infective endocarditis prophylaxis
 Anticongestive theraphy( digixin and lasix)
 Assessment of renal ,hepatic,and nurologic function.
2. Ballon angioplasty may be indicated for infants who are a
high surgical risk.
3. Surgical intervention: usually performed as soon as the
diagnosis is made
 Subclavian flap repair
 End to end anastomosis
 Dacron patch repair

47. Complication
 Aortic aneurysm
 Endocarditis (infection in the heart)
 Heart failure
 Kidney problems
 Paralysis of the lower half of the body (a rare
complication of surgery to repair coarctation)
 Severe high blood pressure

48. Pulmonary stenosis
 Pulmonary valve stenosis is a heart valve
disorder that involves the pulmonary valve.
 This valve separates the right ventricle (one of
the chambers in the heart) and the pulmonary
artery. The pulmonary artery carries oxygen-poor
blood to the lungs.
 Stenosis, or narrowing, occurs when the valve
cannot open wide enough. As a result, less blood
flows to the lungs.

50. Causes
 Narrowing of the pulmonary valve is usually
present at birth (congenital). It is caused by a
problem that occurs when the unborn baby (fetus)
is developing. The cause is unknown, but
genetics may play a role.
 Pulmonary valve stenosis is a rare disorder.
 In some cases, pulmonary valve stenosis more in
families.

51. Clinical manifestation
 These infants are usually found to have a murmur on a
routine heart examination.
 When the valve narrowing (stenosis) is moderate to
severe, the symptoms include:
 Bluish color to the skin (cyanosis) in some patients
 Chest pain
 Fainting
 Fatigue
 Poor weight gain or failure to thrive in infants with severe
blockage
 Shortness of breath
 Sudden death
 Symptoms may get worse with exercise or activity.

52. Diagnostic evaluation
 Physical examination:- The health care provider
may hear a heart murmur when listening to your
heart using a stethoscope. Murmurs are blowing,
whooshing, or rasping sounds heard during a
heartbeat.
 Tests used to diagnose pulmonary stenosis may
include:
 Cardiac catheterization
 Chest x-ray
 ECG
 Echocardiogram
 MRI of the heart

53. Treatment
 Sometimes, treatment may not be needed if the disorder is mild.
 When there are also other heart defects, medications may be used
to:
 Help blood flow through the heart (prostaglandins)
 Help the heart beat stronger
 Prevent clots (blood thinners)
 Remove excess fluid (water pills)
 Treat abnormal heartbeats and rhythms
 Percutaneous balloon pulmonary dilation (valvuloplasty) may
be performed when no other heart defects are present.
 This procedure is done through an artery in the groin.
 The doctor sends a flexible tube (catheter) with a balloon attached
to the end up to the heart. Special x-rays are used to help guide
the catheter.
 The balloon stretches the opening of the valve.
 Some patients may need heart surgery to repair or replace the
pulmonary valve. The new valve can be made from different
materials. If the valve cannot be repaired or replaced, other
procedures may be needed.

54. Complications
 Abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias)
 Death
 Heart failure and enlargement of the right side of
the heart
 Leaking of blood back into the right ventricle
(pulmonary regurgitation) after repair

55. NURSING CARE OF THE CHILD WITH CONGENITAL HEART
DISEASES.
Nursing Assessment: -
 Obtain a through nursing history
 Discuss the care plan with the health care team (cardiologist, cardiac
surgeon, nursing care manager, social worker, nutrition list)
 Measure and record height and weight plot on a growth chart
 Record vital signs and oxygen saturations.
 Measure vital signs at a time when the infant / child is quit.
Choose appropriate size blood pressure cuff
Check four extremities BPxl.
Assess and record.
Skin color, pink, cyanotic, mottled
Mucous membranes; moist, dry, cyanotic
Extremities: check peripheral pulses for quality and symmetry,
dependent edema, capillary refill, color and temperature.

56.  Assess for clubbing (cyanotic heart disease0
Assess chest wall for deformities; prominent pericardial
activity.
 Assess respiratory pattern
 Before disturbing the child, stand back on count the
respiratory rate.
 Loosen or remove clothing to directly observe chest
movement
 Assess for signs of respiratory distress; increased
respiratory rate, granting, retraction, nasal flaring.
 Auscultate for crackles, wheezing, congestion, and
strider.
Assess heart sounds.
 Determine rate (bradycardia, tachycardia) and rhythm(
regular or irregular)
 Identity murmur (type, locations, and grade)

57.  Assess fluids status.
 Daily weights
 Strict intake and output (number of wet diaper, urine
output)
 Assess and record the child’s level of activity
 Observe the infant while feeding, does the infant need
frequent breaks or child asleep during feeding,
assess for sweating, color change, or respiratory
distress while feeding.
 Observe the child at play, is play interrupted to rest
 Assess and record findings relevant to the child’s
development level, age appropriate behavior, cognitive
skill, gross and fine motor skills.

58. Summary: -
 So far we have discussed about congenital heart diseases,
cyanotic heart disease like fallots tetrology, transposition of
great arteries and acynotic heart disease like VSD, ASD,
PDA and Nursing care of the child with congenital heart
disease.