Congenital heart disease: tricuspid atresia

By Cristiano Antonino On Mar 8, 2023

Tricuspid atresia is a congenital heart defect that is caused by the failure of the tricuspid valve to develop

DEFIBRILLATORS, MONITORING DISPLAYS, CHEST COMPRESSION DEVICES: VISIT THE PROGETTI BOOTH AT EMERGENCY EXPO

Normally, oxygen-poor blood returns to the right atrium via the hollow veins, will pass into the right ventricle, which pumps it through the pulmonary arteries to the lungs where it will be oxygenated.

The oxygen-rich blood will then return from the lungs to the left atrium, pass into the left ventricle, and be pumped into the aorta to reach the whole body.

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING IN RESCUE: VISIT THE SQUICCIARINI RESCUE BOOTH AND LEARN HOW TO BE PREPARED FOR THE EMERGENCY

In tricuspid atresia, on the other hand, the valve not being formed will see the presence of fibrous tissue that closes it preventing the passage of oxygen-poor blood from the right atrium to the right ventricle

The right ventricle is often small (hypoplastic) due to reduced blood flow already in the embryonic stage.

In tricuspid atresias, which are not life-threatening, there will be a defect in the septum separating the two atria or the septum separating the ventricles, but usually both.

This will lead to the mixing of non-oxygenated blood with oxygenated blood.

The ductus arteriosus Botallo is an artery that, in the embryonic stage will allow the passage of blood from the pulmonary arteries to the aorta, will tend to close in the first few hours of life.

Should it remain open, it will see the passage of blood from the aorta to the pulmonary arteries and lungs where it will become oxygenated.

Thus, the baby born with tricuspid atresia will have blood that cannot flow through the heart and lungs to pick up oxygen as it normally would; the lung will not be able to supply the rest of the body with the oxygen it needs.

THE RADIO OF RESCUERS AROUND THE WORLD? IT’S RADIOEMS: VISIT ITS BOOTH AT EMERGENCY EXPO

Tricuspid atresia affects about 5 in 100,000 live births, affecting males and females equally

Symptoms of tricuspid atresia will include: exhaustion, shortness of breath, cyanosis, slow growth.

Symptoms that will occur as early as the second week after birth and are the most common.

Other symptoms will be: swelling of the lower limbs, abdominal bloating, weight gain from fluid retention, and irregular heartbeat.

CARDIOPROTECTION AND CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION? VISIT THE EMD112 BOOTH IN EMERGENCY EXPO NOW TO LEARN MORE

Tricuspid atresia will occur during fetal heart development

Heredity or Down syndrome may also affect, increasing the risk of congenital heart defects.

Children with tricuspid atresia will also have ventricular septal defect; blood, in this case, will flow through the hole and into the right ventricle, which will pump it to the lungs.

Generally, the causes of congenital heart defects are unknown, but there are factors that influence their increased risk including: the mother contracting viral diseases during pregnancy, the presence of a congenital heart defect in either parent, certain drug therapies, and the presence of Down syndrome.

It is critical to intervene quickly in order to avoid fatal complications, including:

lack of oxygen to tissues, a life-threatening condition; increased production of red blood cells, to compensate for the lack of oxygen caused by atresia, but which could lead to clot formation, heart attack and/or stroke.
Thanks to ultrasound, it will be possible to diagnose atresia even before birth.

After birth, a heart defect will be thought of when the baby has bluish skin and breathing problems, or if a heart murmur is heard.

Through the echocardiogram, it will be possible to check for the absence of the tricuspid valve and a smaller-than-normal right ventricle; it will also be possible to measure how much blood flows between the right and left sides of the heart.

It will also be possible to check for heart defects such as atrial septal defect or ventricular septal defect.

Treatment of tricuspid atresia, will require surgery to ensure adequate blood flow through the heart and lungs so that the child’s body can receive the right amounts of oxygenated blood.

Multiple surgeries will obviously be used.

The surgical procedure that will be most frequently used will be the Fontan procedure, which will see the creation of a pathway for oxygen-depleted blood to flow properly into the pulmonary arteries.

It will be possible, however, to have the child undergo the Fontan procedure from the age of two.

Prior to Fontan’s surgery, drugs designed to help dilate blood vessels and keep the ductus arteriosus and foramen ovale open will be administered; antibiotics will be given before some dental procedures in order to prevent some bacteria from entering the bloodstream and reaching the heart and causing infective endocarditis.

STRETCHERS, LUNG VENTILATORS, EVACUATION CHAIRS: SPENCER PRODUCTS IN THE DOUBLE BOOTH AT EMERGENCY EXPO

Atrial septostomy will also be used to create, or enlarge, the opening between the cardiac atria in order to allow blood to flow from the right atrium to the left atrium.

With shunting instead, a bypass will be created starting at the aorta during the first 4 to 8 weeks of life.

With Glenn’s procedure, on the other hand, which will be performed around 6 months of age, a connection of the large veins that return blood to the heart to the pulmonary artery will be created; this procedure will reduce the workload of the left ventricle by decreasing the risk of damage.

For children who have undergone the Fontan procedure, the results are promising; however, complications may emerge over time that will require intervention with further procedures.

CHILD HEALTH: LEARN MORE ABOUT MEDICHILD BY VISITING THE BOOTH AT EMERGENCY EXPO

Bluish Color Of Baby’s Skin: Could Be Tricuspid Atresia

Supraventricular Tachycardia: Definition, Diagnosis, Treatment, And Prognosis

Neonatal/Pediatric Endotracheal Suctioning: General Characteristics Of The Procedure

Is It Possible To Treat Coronary Atherosclerosis Before It Leads To A Heart Attack? The Role Of Cardiac Diagnostics

Ventricular Aneurysm: How To Recognise It?

Atrial Fibrillation: Classification, Symptoms, Causes And Treatment