The Fallot’s tetralogy is a combination of cardiac defects in which blood is not able to flow freely from the heart to the lungs, causing low oxygen levels in the blood.
It is an amalgamation of four defects, affecting the heart, mainly the ventricles; hence it is called “Tetralogy” (in Latin, tetra means four). These include the following.
- VENTRICULAR SEPTAL DEFECT: A VSD is an opening or a hole between the ventricles.
- PULMONARY STENOSIS: Obstruction of blood flow that goes from the right ventricle of the heart to the body’s respiratory organ, the lungs.
- The aorta (the biggest artery of the body, which flows from the heart to the rest of the body) moves directly over the ventricular septal defect, in a defect called the OVERRIDING AORTA.
- The right ventricle develops thickened muscle, in a condition known as RIGHT VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY.
What are the reasons for tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) ?
It is initiated very early in pregnancy, with unknown causes. The heart starts out as a simple tube, which then divides into two equal sides. In this condition, the heart divides unevenly. The right side becomes too small and the left side becomes too big. This fault causes all four problems to develop as the heart grows.
It may be seen more commonly in children with other congenital genetic diseases such as Down’s syndrome or the lesser common, DiGeorge syndrome. Some children can have other heart conditions accompanying tetralogy of Fallot.
What effect will the tetralogy of Fallot have on your child’s heart ?
Normally the left side of the heart is assigned the job of pumping blood to the body, and the heart’s right side does the job of pumping blood to the lungs (to oxygenate blood). In children with tetralogy of Fallot, blood can pass through the ventricular defect or hole (VSD) from the right ventricle into the left ventricle and out into the body’s largest artery, the aorta. Instead of blood flowing from the right ventricle through the pulmonary valve, it impedes it, not letting it get pumped to the lungs. Sometimes this pulmonary valve is also completely obstructed (pulmonary atresia), leading to complete blockage.
How will tetralogy of Fallot impact my child ?
Both infants and young children with untreated tetralogy of Fallot appear to be bluish or cyanotic. The reason is that oxygen-deficient blood is being pumped to the body through the opening in the wall connecting the right and left ventricle instead of being pumped to its original destination, the lungs, where it can undergo oxygenation.
What can be done about tetralogy of Fallot ?
Surgery is the treatment for Tetralogy of Fallot. A temporary operation may be done at first but it has to be followed by complete repair. If possible, the first operation can be made into a complete repair.
- Temporary Operation :In some infants, a kind of shunting operation has to be done initially to supply adequate blood flow to the lungs. This is not open-heart surgery and does not offer the final solution. The shunt is usually a miniature tube of artificial or synthetic material sewn between the aorta (a major artery from the heart to the body) and the pulmonary artery. This is closed when a complete repair is done at a later time.
- Complete Repair: Complete repair is to be done later in life. The surgeon repairs the ventricular septal defect in the heart with the help of a patch and enlarges the right ventricular outgoing pathway by removing some thickened ventricular muscle, repairing or clearing out the obstructed pulmonary valve and if needed, expands the pulmonary arteries to permit easy blood flow.
How will the tetralogy of Fallot change your child’s activities ?
Your child may be told to limit physical activity. It would be safer if competitive sports were stopped or played with caution. Children with more severe heart disease will definitely have to restrict their activity further.
If the tetralogy is effectively repaired by surgery, and there’s no obstruction or leak in the pulmonary valve seen, your child can carry on with the standard activities without a bigger risk. Your child’s pediatric cardiologist will help formulate a physical activity plan for your child.
What are the long-term risks of tetralogy of Fallot ?
Children afflicted by tetralogy of Fallot are at higher risk for endocarditis. Some children will have to be administered antibiotics before some dental procedures to help prevent endocarditis.
How to find pediatric cardiac surgeons for tetralogy of Fallot repair ?
Now you can find pediatric cardiac surgeons from different hospitals and destinations for tetralogy of Fallot repair. You can avail opinions from multiple pediatric cardiac surgeons, get approximate cost of tetralogy of Fallot repair from various heart hospitals, compare things and then choose a pediatric cardiac surgeon for tetralogy of Fallot repair.
Find a pediatric cardiac surgeon for tetralogy of Fallot repair on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
