Can Tetralogy of Fallot receive oxygen therapy?

Written by Chen Guang Yin
Cardiology
Updated on January 09, 2025
00:00
00:00

Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that includes abnormalities such as ventricular septal defects, pulmonary valve stenosis, and stenosis of the right ventricular outflow tract. Due to these congenital defects, the ejection of blood from the heart is affected, which in turn impacts the blood supply to various systems and organs throughout the body. The patient may exhibit symptoms of cyanosis and hypoxia, especially after physical activity, hence the use of supplemental oxygen is advisable. While oxygen therapy can temporarily alleviate these hypoxic symptoms, it does not address the underlying issue. Surgery is necessary for a definitive resolution.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
1min 15sec home-news-image

How is Tetralogy of Fallot classified in terms of severity?

Tetralogy of Fallot is a complex congenital heart disease in children, characterized early by cyanosis in the face. The severity of symptoms, which often correlate with the level of pulmonary stenosis, includes cyanosis primarily appearing in regions with abundant capillaries such as the lips, nail beds, and bulbar conjunctiva. This cyanosis worsens with crying or physical activity. Additionally, the presence of squatting behaviors is indicative of more severe conditions. Frequent squatting suggests a substantial disease burden, as bending the legs while squatting reduces the volume of venous return, thereby decreasing the cardiac load and temporarily relieving hypoxic symptoms. In severe cases, symptoms can escalate to paroxysmal respiratory distress and loss of consciousness, often triggered by nursing or vigorous crying. Such difficulties can lead to severe spells including unconsciousness and seizures, primarily due to spasm in the muscular area at the base of the pulmonary artery, causing stenosis. Early detection and treatment of these conditions are crucial to prevent manifestations of heart failure.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
32sec home-news-image

Tetralogy of Fallot is what?

Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease in infants, accounting for about twelve percent of all congenital heart diseases. It was thoroughly described by the French physician Fallot in 1888, which is how it got its name. Tetralogy of Fallot consists of four cardiac malformations: first, obstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract; second, ventricular septal defect; third, overriding aorta; fourth, right ventricular hypertrophy.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
35sec home-news-image

Tetralogy of Fallot's composition and its causes of formation

Tetralogy of Fallot consists of four abnormalities. First, there is a narrowing at the right ventricular outflow, ranging from the entrance of the right ventricular infundibulum to the branches of the left and right pulmonary arteries. Second, there is a ventricular septal defect, characterized by a deficiency around the membranous part that extends towards the outflow. Third, the aorta overrides, where the base of the aorta is enlarged and rotates clockwise to the right, straddling the septal defect. Fourth, right ventricular hypertrophy, which is a secondary lesion.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
43sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
40sec home-news-image

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.