| Acyanotic heart defect | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Non-cyanotic heart defect |
 | |
| Ventricular septum | |
| Specialty | Cardiology |
An acyanotic heart defect, is a class of congenital heart defects. In these, blood is shunted (flows) from the left side of the heart to the right side of the heart, most often due to a structural defect (hole) in the interventricular septum. People often retain normal levels of oxyhemoglobin saturation in systemic circulation.
This term is outdated, because a person with an acyanotic heart defect may show cyanosis (turn blue due to insufficient oxygen in the blood).
Signs and symptoms
Presentation is the following:
- Shortness of breath
- Congested cough
- Diaphoresis
- Fatigue
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Machine-like heart murmur
- Tachycardia
- Tachypnea
- Respiratory distress
- Mild cyanosis (in right sided heart failure)
- Poor growth and development (from increased energy spent on breathing)
Complications
This condition can cause congestive heart failure.
Diagnosis
Types
Left to right shunting heart defects include:
- Ventricular septal defect (VSD) (30% of all congenital heart defects)
- Atrial septal defect (ASD)
- Atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD)
- Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
Others:
Acyanotic heart defects without shunting include:
- Pulmonary stenosis (a narrowing of the pulmonary valve)
- Aortic stenosis
- Coarctation of the aorta
Management
Treatment of this condition can be done via:
- Medications: Digoxin/Lanoxin
- Diuretics: Furosemide/Lasix
- Surgery
See also
- NCLEX-PN Review 2nd Ed. (2006). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 1-58255-915-5.
