Definition Symptoms Causes Risk Factors Complications

Tetralogy of Fallot In diagnosing Tetralogy of Fallot While the exact A possible

is a birth defect tetralogy fallot, occurs as the baby's cause of tetralogy complication of
that affects the there are several heart is developing of Fallot is tetralogy of Fallot is
normal blood flow symptoms that we during pregnancy. unknown, some an infection of the
through the heart. must monitor and Usually, the cause is things might inner lining of the
observe unknown. increase the risk of heart or heart valve
a baby being born caused by a
with this condition. bacterial infection
Risk factors for (infective
tetralogy of Fallot endocarditis).
include:
Your or your child's
doctor may
recommend taking
antibiotics before
certain dental
procedures to
prevent infections
that might cause
this infection.
People with
untreated tetralogy
of Fallot usually
develop severe
complications over
time, which might
result in death or
disability by early
adulthood.

It is the most For instance: Heart Tetralogy of Fallot A viral illness during In terms of having
common form of murmur, Fainting, includes four pregnancy, such as open heart surgery,
cyanotic congenital Irritability, A bluish defects: rubella (German there are still some
heart disease.  The coloration of the measles) consequences and
term cyanosis skin caused by low First, the Narrowing long-term
means a bluish blood oxygen of the lung valve Drinking alcohol complications that
discoloration of the levels, Shortness of (pulmonary valve during pregnancy may occur. It
skin. The cause of breath and rapid stenosis). Narrowin includes:
cyanosis is a lower- breathing, Poor g of the valve that Poor nutrition
than-normal blood weight gain, separates the lower during pregnancy Leaking pulmonary
oxygen level. Prolonged Crying, right chamber of valve (chronic
Patients with and an abnormal, the heart (right A mother older than pulmonary
tetralogy of Fallot rounded shape of ventricle) from the age 40 regurgitation), in
are at risk for the nail bed in the main blood vessel which blood leaks
cyanosis because fingers and toes leading to the lungs A parent who has through the valve
the narrowing of (pulmonary artery) tetralogy of Fallot back into the
blood flow to the reduces blood flow and pumping chamber
lungs in to the lungs. The (right ventricle)
combination with a narrowing might The presence of
VSD or hole allows also affect the Down syndrome or Leaking tricuspid
blood in many muscle beneath the DiGeorge syndrome valve
instances to bypass pulmonary valve. in the baby
the lungs and go Sometimes, the Holes in the wall
directly up to the pulmonary valve between the
body doesn't form ventricles
properly (pulmonary (ventricular septal
atresia). defects) that may
continue to leak
after repair or may
need re-repair

Enlarged right
 ventricle or left
ventricle that isn't
working properly

Irregular heartbeats
(arrhythmias)

Coronary artery
disease

Enlargement of the
ascending aorta
(aortic root dilation)
and

Sudden cardiac
death

5 out of 10,000 Second, A hole One of the risks of

individuals were between the bottom tetralogy of Fallot is
diagnosed with this heart chambers what are called Tet
case. The Tetralogy (ventricular septal spells. A Tet spell is
of Fallot was named defect). A an episode in which
after Dr. Étienne- ventricular septal a child or infant
Louis Arthur Fallot defect is a hole in becomes extremely
in 1888. the wall (septum) blue and frequently
that separates the agitated and out of
two lower chambers breath. The spell is
of the heart (left caused by a
and right relatively sudden
ventricles). The hole decrease in blood
causes oxygen-poor flow to the lungs.
blood in the right Tet spells can be
ventricle to mix with precipitated by
oxygen-rich blood in several things,
the left ventricle. including
This causes dehydration,
inefficient blood agitation, or fever.
flow and reduces Some children may
the supply of have spells in the
oxygen-rich blood absence of any
to the body. The identifiable cause
defect eventually
can weaken the
heart.

Tetralogy of Fallot Third, the Shifting

consists of 4 of the body's main
findings, a artery
ventricular septal (aorta). Normally
defect (hole in the the aorta branches
lower wall of the off the left ventricle.
heart), pulmonary In the tetralogy of
stenosis (narrowing Fallot, the aorta is
in the outflow of in the wrong
blood to the lungs), position. It's shifted
overriding aorta, to the right and lies
and right directly above the
ventricular hole in the heart
hypertrophy. wall (ventricular
septal defect). As a
result, the aorta
receives a mix of
oxygen-rich and
 oxygen-poor blood
from both the right
and left ventricles.

The first two Lastly, Thickening

findings, the VSD, of the right lower
and pulmonary heart chamber
stenosis are what (right ventricular
determine the hypertrophy). When
significance of the heart's pumping
tetralogy of Fallot. action is
overworked, the
muscular wall of the
right ventricle
becomes thick. Over
time this might
cause the heart to
stiffen, become
weak and eventually
fail.

Some children or
adults who have
tetralogy of Fallot
may have other
heart defects such
as a hole between
the heart's upper
chambers (atrial
septal defect), a
right aortic arch or
problems with the
coronary arteries.