Tetralogy of Fallot Common Symptoms

Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
Updated on August 31, 2024
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The clinical manifestations of Tetralogy of Fallot include, firstly, cyanosis as the primary clinical symptom. The degree and onset of cyanosis are related to the severity of pulmonary stenosis, and it often appears in areas with abundant capillaries such as lips, fingers, toes, nail beds, and bulbar conjunctiva. Secondly, squatting symptoms are common among children; they often spontaneously squat for a while during walking or playing. Squatting, with the legs bent, reduces the venous return and thus decreases the load on the heart, temporarily relieving symptoms of hypoxia by reducing the right-to-left shunt. Thirdly, clubbing occurs due to long-term hypoxic conditions, which can cause capillary dilation and proliferation in the fingers and toes, and the local soft tissues and bones also grow and enlarge; fourthly, paroxysmal hypoxic attacks, which are most common in infants, can be triggered by breastfeeding, crying, emotional excitement, or anemia. These attacks suddenly occur and can lead to severe symptoms including difficulty breathing, fainting, convulsions, and even death.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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The reason for squatting in Tetralogy of Fallot

The reason for squatting is that when squatting, the lower limbs are bent, which reduces the amount of blood returning to the heart through the veins, thereby reducing the load on the heart. At the same time, the arteries in the lower limbs are compressed, which increases the resistance in the systemic circulation and reduces the right-to-left shunt volume, allowing temporary relief from hypoxia symptoms. Babies who cannot walk often like to be held by adults in a position that bends the lower limbs to reduce the amount of blood returning to the heart. This frequently occurs during walking and playing, often characterized by brief periods of squatting.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Tetralogy of Fallot cyanosis cause

Tetralogy of Fallot, due to a ventricular septal defect combined with right ventricular outflow tract narrowing, can display left-to-right, bidirectional, or even right-to-left shunting at the ventricular level. Patients with mild pulmonary stenosis can have left-to-right shunting and usually do not exhibit cyanosis. However, when the pulmonary stenosis is severe, significant right-to-left shunting occurs, and clinically apparent cyanosis becomes evident. Cyanosis is commonly observed in areas rich in capillaries and superficial tissues, such as the lips, fingertips, nail beds, and bulbar conjunctiva.

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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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Tetralogy of Fallot shadow on the radiograph

Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common cyanotic heart disease in children over the age of one, accounting for about 10 percent of all congenital heart diseases. Tetralogy of Fallot includes four anatomical abnormalities: a ventricular septal defect, right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, an overriding aorta, and right ventricular hypertrophy. In patients diagnosed through X-ray, the heart size is often within normal limits, typically appearing boot-shaped, with markedly reduced pulmonary vascular markings. The aortic arch may be located on the right side, and the ascending aorta is usually dilated. Patients with rich collateral circulation display prominent pulmonary markings.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Tetralogy of Fallot electrocardiogram manifestations

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.