What is tetralogy of fallot?

It refers to a rare condition that involves several congenital heart defects, caused by abnormal cardiac development of the fetus in the first eight weeks of gestation, causing the blood flow to carry a reduced amount of oxygen from the heart to the rest of the body.

The term tetralogy of Fallot includes four heart problems:

• Pulmonary valve stenosis.
• Ventricular Septal Defect.
• Aorta displacement.
• Right ventricular hypertrophy.

Although it is unknown what causes this condition, some factors can contribute to its appearance, such as:

• Alcohol intake during pregnancy.
• Pregnancy after 40 years.
• Poor nutrition during pregnancy.
• Down syndrome.
• DiGeorge syndrome.
• Father or mother with tetralogy of Fallot.
• Viral infections during pregnancy.

The severity of the symptoms depends on the obstruction, but the most frequent are:

• Clubbing or enlargement of the phalanges.
• Tiredness and weakness.
• Blue skin due to lack of oxygen.
• Fainting.
• Trouble breathing.
• Malnutrition.
• Irritability.
• Long crying spells.
• Heart murmur.

Complications:

• Infectious endocarditis.
• Disability in adulthood.
• Death.

Normally, the diagnosis is made after delivery or during the first months of life, through the following diagnostic tests:

• Echocardiogram.
• Electrocardiogram.
• Chest x-ray.
• Cardiac catheterization.
• Pulse oximetry.

Babies affected by surgeries that repair abnormalities and need lifelong medical check-ups.

Your doctor will define the most appropriate surgery according to the case, but the surgical treatment includes:

• Temporary bypass: a procedure before intracardiac repair to improve blood flow to the lungs.
• Intracardiac repairs: used to patch the opening between the ventricles, correct or replace the narrowed pulmonary valve, and widen the pulmonary arteries to increase blood flow.

Long-term complications after surgery are common, including:

• Arrhythmias.
• Tricuspid valve leak.
• Dilation of the aortic root.
• Dilation of the ventricle.
• Coronary artery disease
• Chronic pulmonary insufficiency.
• Sudden death.
• Holes in the interventricular wall.

At the Cardiovascular Center, we offer you a wide range of prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up services to take care of you through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary care model. Come to us, we want to hear your heart.

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