Tetralogy of Fallot Emergency Measures

Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Generally, one should often drink water to prevent infection, prevent dehydration and complications. Infants and young children should be especially careful in their care, to avoid episodes of paroxysmal hypoxia. In mild cases of hypoxic episodes, placing them in a knee-chest position can alleviate the symptoms. In severe cases, oxygen should be administered immediately, along with the appropriate drug treatment. If the episodes cannot be effectively controlled with medication, emergency surgical intervention may be necessary. With the continuous improvement in surgical techniques this year, the mortality rate for curative surgeries has been decreasing.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Emergency treatment for cyanosis in Tetralogy of Fallot

During hypoxic attacks of Tetralogy of Fallot, for mild cases, adopting the knee-chest position can provide relief. Severe cases should immediately receive oxygen and be given relevant medication treatment. Normally, attention should be paid to removing factors that cause hypoxic attacks, such as anemia and infections, and keep the child as calm as possible. For cases where hypoxia cannot be effectively controlled through the above measures, emergency surgical repair should be considered.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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The main cause of hypoxic attacks in Tetralogy of Fallot

Tetralogy of Fallot is a complex congenital heart disease, characterized by ventricular septal defect, right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, aorta overriding, and right ventricular hypertrophy. When the obstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract is severe, pulmonary artery blood flow significantly decreases. A large amount of unoxygenated venous blood passes through the ventricular septal defect causing a right-to-left shunt, which clinically manifests as severe cyanosis and increased red blood cells, and different degrees of hypoxia in the systemic circulation. Factors that can induce hypoxic episodes in these infants include feeding, crying, emotional agitation, anemia, infection, etc. These can suddenly lead to fainting, convulsions, or even death. The main reason is generally due to a sudden muscle spasm at the narrow pulmonary artery infundibulum on top of pre-existing stenosis, causing temporary pulmonary artery obstruction and exacerbating cerebral hypoxia, thus leading to severe hypoxic attacks.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Can tetralogy of Fallot be detected by prenatal screening?

During prenatal check-ups for fetuses diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, the condition can be detected. A four-dimensional color Doppler ultrasound can be performed in the mid-pregnancy stage, allowing observation of the fetus's development, such as the brain, kidneys, skeleton, and heart. Therefore, using four-dimensional color Doppler ultrasound checks can identify congenital heart diseases. When Tetralogy of Fallot is diagnosed, deciding whether to continue with the pregnancy or terminate it is a major concern for the pregnant woman. Cardiac malformations in the fetus can also be surgically treated after birth.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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The most common complication of Tetralogy of Fallot

Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease, consisting of four abnormalities: ventricular septal defect, obstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract, overriding aorta, and right ventricular hypertrophy. Several complications are prone to occur in Tetralogy of Fallot: Firstly, due to the increase in red blood cells, embolism can occur, especially cerebral embolism is the most common. Children over two years old can also develop brain abscesses. Secondly, bacterial endocarditis often occurs at sites such as the right ventricular infundibulum, pulmonary valve, or aortic valve.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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Can children with Tetralogy of Fallot heal on their own?

Children with Tetralogy of Fallot cannot be cured, as this condition is a congenital disease, primarily involving vascular malformations, characterized by ventricular septal defects, overriding aorta, pulmonary hypertension, and right ventricular hypertrophy. Due to pulmonary atresia or near-atresia, leading to numerous collateral vessels, it might only present with a ventricular septal defect with shunting or mild pulmonary valve stenosis. The effectiveness of surgery for this type of Tetralogy of Fallot may not be particularly good, and the chances of a cure are very low. Therefore, for this category, early detection and surgical treatment are crucial, and it is important to enhance dietary nutrition and care in daily life, as it is prone to pulmonary infections, which can lead to serious conditions such as respiratory failure and heart failure.