Cardiology

• At approximately how many weeks of gestation does cardiogenesis begin?

  3 weeks
• When does most cardiovascular development occur?

  Between weeks 4 and 8
• What is the state of the heart during prenatal development?

  Functioning and preparing to adapt
• Where does the fetus get oxygen from?

  The placenta
• What are the approximate oxygen levels in a fetus?

  60-70%
• Approximately how many births have a congenital heart defect?

  1 in 125
• In the UK, approximately how many births have a congenital heart defect?

  1 in 100
• What is the most common type of birth defect?

  Structural birth defect
• When do acquired disorders occur?

  After birth
• What are some causes of acquired disorders?

  Infection, autoimmune diseases, environment
• What is the term for the beginning of heart development?

  Cardiogenesis
• Why is fetal cardiac output high?

  To compensate low oxygen levels
• What are the fetal cardiac shunts?

  Foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus
• What happens when the umbilical cord is cut?

  Placental circulation is cut off
• Cutting the umbilical cord causes an increase in what type of pressure?

  Systemic atrial pressure
• Cutting the umbilical cord causes a decrease in what type of pressure?

  Pulmonary artery pressure
• What causes pulmonary blood flow to increase at birth?

  Decreased pulmonary artery pressure
• What causes the lungs to distend with air at birth?

  The first few breaths
• What causes the foramen ovale to close?

  Increased left atrial pressure
• What causes the ductus arteriosus to close?

  Increased blood oxygen levels
• When are fetal shunts functionally closed?

  At birth
• When does complete structural closure of fetal shunts occur?

  Months later
• What are the two classifications of CHD?

  Cyanotic and acyanotic
• Which of these is a peripheral condition associated with increased risk of CHD?

  Prematurity
• How can some CHD's be detected prenatally?

  Routine prenatal scans
• When is the fetal heart structure usually visualized during prenatal scans?

  At 20 week scan
• If CHD is suspected, what type of test is undertaken?

  Fetal echocardiography
• How can CHD be detected natally?

  A murmur after birth
• When do some CHD symptoms manifest?

  A few days after birth
• What anatomical structure is affected by a ventricular septal defect (VSD)?

  Interventricular septum
• In VSD, where does blood shunt from and to?

  Left to right ventricle
• What does increased blood flow to the lungs cause in VSD?

  Increased pulmonary vascular resistance
• What does increased pulmonary vascular resistance cause in VSD?

  Right ventricle hypertrophy
• What are symptoms of VSD in a baby?

  Poor eating, failure to thrive
• What are symptoms of VSD in a baby?

  Fast breathing or breathlessness
• What are symptoms of VSD in a baby?

  Easy tiring
• What does CHD stand for?

  Congenital heart defect
• What is a congenital heart defect?

  An anatomical malformation of heart
• When do congenital heart defects occur?

  During fetal development
• What anatomical structure is affected by an atrial septal defect (ASD)?

  Interatrial septum