Tetralogy of Fallot electrocardiogram manifestations

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on October 27, 2024
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Tetralogy of Fallot is a common type of cyanotic congenital heart disease, primarily composed of four structural components: first, a ventricular septal defect; second, an overriding aorta; third, hypertrophy of the right ventricle; and fourth, obstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract. When performing an electrocardiogram (ECG) on Tetralogy of Fallot, it often shows right ventricular hypertrophy, and can also display right atrial hypertrophy. Initially, there may be hypertrophy of both the left and right ventricles. As the child develops cyanosis, it progressively evolves into hypertrophy of the right ventricle. These are the typical ECG findings in Tetralogy of Fallot.

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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 Chen Guang Yin
Cardiology
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Can someone with Tetralogy of Fallot have a second child?

Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital cardiac defect that has not been found to have a definite genetic relationship, meaning no chromosomal abnormalities have been discovered. However, congenital heart disease does tend to occur within families to a certain extent, indicating some level of familial predisposition. The primary cause, however, is believed to be related to viral infections during the first three months of pregnancy or the use of certain medications. Therefore, we believe that parents of a child with Tetralogy of Fallot can consider having a second child.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Tetralogy of Fallot symptoms in infants

Infants with Tetralogy of Fallot often exhibit the following symptoms: First, cyanosis, which is most apparent in areas rich in capillaries such as the lips, fingernail beds, and conjunctiva. Cyanosis tends to worsen gradually during crying, emotional distress, or physical exertion. Second, squatting symptoms; infants who cannot walk often prefer to be held by adults in a flexed position of both lower limbs, reducing venous return and easing the cardiac workload. Older children often exhibit squatting during activities such as walking and playing, frequently squatting down momentarily. Third, infants in a prolonged hypoxic environment may develop clubbing, characterized by the enlargement of the fingertips and toes, with capillary expansion and proliferation, resembling drumsticks. Fourth, episodic hypoxia occurs predominantly in infants, triggered by feeding, crying, or emotional distress, manifesting as episodes of respiratory difficulty, with severe cases leading to sudden fainting or convulsions.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Tetralogy of Fallot seizure causes

The cause of seizures in Tetralogy of Fallot is episodic hypoxia leading to cerebral hypoxia, which causes seizures, commonly seen in infants. These seizures can be triggered by feeding, crying, emotional excitement, anemia, or infections, manifesting as episodic breathing difficulties. In severe cases, sudden fainting, convulsions, or even death may occur. The underlying cause is the narrowing of the pulmonary artery infundibulum and sudden muscle spasms, which lead to temporary pulmonary artery obstruction, worsening cerebral hypoxia.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Tetralogy of Fallot in children who prefer squatting is because

Tetralogy of Fallot exhibits squatting symptoms because squatting involves flexing the lower limbs, which reduces the amount of venous return to the heart, thereby decreasing the cardiac workload. At the same time, the arteries of the lower limbs are compressed, increasing systemic vascular resistance, reducing right-to-left shunting, and temporarily alleviating hypoxia symptoms. Infants who cannot walk often prefer to be held with their thighs up, with both lower limbs bent; after they become able to walk, they frequently squat down momentarily during walking or playing.