Study note

Other causes of cyanotic congenital heart disease

THE CONTEXT
Tricuspid atresia, transposition of the great arteries, pulmonary atresia and Ebstein anomaly have distinct anatomical abnormalities, shunt pathways and treatment possibilities.

Tricuspid atresia

•
The tricuspid orifice is absent and the right ventricle is hypoplastic.
•
Associated features include a right atrium-to-left atrium shunt, a ventricular septal defect shunt and other anomalies.
•
Surgical correction may be possible.

Transposition of the great arteries

•
The aorta arises from the morphological right ventricle, while the pulmonary artery arises from the left ventricle.
•
Shunting occurs through the atria, ductus and possibly a ventricular septal defect.
•
Balloon atrial septostomy or enlargement provides palliation; surgical correction is possible.

Pulmonary atresia

•
The pulmonary valve is atretic and the pulmonary artery is hypoplastic.
•
There is a right atrium-to-left atrium shunt, with pulmonary blood flow through the ductus.
•
Balloon atrial septostomy provides palliation, and surgical correction may be possible.

Ebstein anomaly

•
The tricuspid valve is dysplastic and displaced into the right ventricle, which becomes ‘atrialised’.
•
Associated findings include tricuspid regurgitation, a right atrium-to-left atrium shunt and arrhythmias.
•
Severity varies widely. Surgical repair is possible but carries significant risk.
Explore this chapter
NEETx
Learn. Practise. Remember.