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Understanding Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) encompasses structural or functional heart abnormalities present at birth, influenced by genetic factors, maternal conditions, and environmental exposures. CHDs are classified into acyanotic and cyanotic types, each with distinct clinical features and treatment options. Diagnosis involves clinical examination and various imaging techniques, and management includes both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to support affected individuals.

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Anusha Rapuri
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2 views8 pages

Understanding Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) encompasses structural or functional heart abnormalities present at birth, influenced by genetic factors, maternal conditions, and environmental exposures. CHDs are classified into acyanotic and cyanotic types, each with distinct clinical features and treatment options. Diagnosis involves clinical examination and various imaging techniques, and management includes both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to support affected individuals.

Uploaded by

Anusha Rapuri
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Congenital heart disease

Prepared By: Dr. Anusha.R


Assistant Professor (FoP)
Marwadi University

04-06-2025 Faculty of Pharmacy, Marwadi University 1


Definition :
Congenital Heart Disease refers to structural or functional heart
abnormalities present at birth that affect cardiac anatomy and/or function.
Etiology & Risk Factors
•Genetic factors (e.g., Down syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome)
•Maternal conditions: diabetes, rubella infection, alcohol/drug use
•Environmental exposure: certain medications or chemicals during
pregnancy

04-06-2025 Faculty of Pharmacy, Marwadi University 2


Classification of CHDs:
• Acyanotic CHDs (left-to-right shunts):
•Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
•Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
•Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
•Coarctation of the Aorta
•Cyanotic CHDs (right-to-left shunts):
•Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
•Transposition of Great Arteries (TGA)
•Tricuspid Atresia
•Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR)

04-06-2025 Faculty of Pharmacy, Marwadi University 3


Pathophysiology
Congenital Structural Defect
↓
Abnormal Blood Flow Pattern
┌──────────────┴──────────────┐
↓ ↓
Left-to-Right Shunt Right-to-Left Shunt
(Acyanotic CHD) (Cyanotic CHD)
↓ ↓
↑ Pulmonary Blood Flow ↓ Pulmonary Blood Flow
↓ ↓
Pulmonary Hypertension Deoxygenated Blood Enters Aorta
↓ ↓
Heart Failure (CHF) Hypoxemia, Cyanosis

04-06-2025 Faculty of Pharmacy, Marwadi University 4


Clinical Features
Acyanotic: fatigue, poor feeding, murmur, recurrent respiratory
infections
Cyanotic: cyanosis, clubbing, squatting, murmur, delayed
growth.
Diagnostic Tools
•Clinical examination (murmurs, cyanosis)
•ECG
•Chest X-ray
•Echocardiography (2D echo)
•Cardiac catheterization

04-06-2025 Faculty of Pharmacy, Marwadi University 5


1. Acyanotic CHDs (Left-to-Right Shunts)
Examples: VSD, ASD, PDA, Coarctation of Aorta

Condition Treatment
- Small defects may close spontaneously -
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) Diuretics, ACE inhibitors for heart failure -
Surgical repair or device closure if large
- Often asymptomatic - Device closure via
Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) catheterization (e.g., Amplatzer device) - Surgery
if large
- Indomethacin/Ibuprofen in preterm infants -
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
Catheter-based coil closure or surgical ligation

- Balloon angioplasty with or without stenting -


Coarctation of Aorta
Surgical correction in neonates or complex cases

04-06-2025 Faculty of Pharmacy, Marwadi University 6


Non- Pharmacological Treatment :
•High-calorie feeds (due to increased metabolic demand)
•Frequent small feeds or NG tube feeding in infants with fatigue
•Monitoring weight and growth parameters
•Chest physiotherapy in children with recurrent infections
•Developmental therapy to support delayed motor milestones
•Gentle activity programs (as tolerated) to avoid deconditioning
•Supportive care
•Growth and development
•Education and empowerment
•Preventing complications

04-06-2025 Faculty of Pharmacy, Marwadi University 7


04-06-2025 Faculty of Pharmacy, Marwadi University 8

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