Congenital Heart Defects

Congenital heart defects are described in this section, with special emphasis on the surgical treatment options for each type of CHD.

* Atrial Septal Defect - ASD

A defect in the wall between the left and right atrium that causes a shunt of blood inside the heart resulting in increased lung blood flow.

* Coarctation of Aorta - CoA

A narrowing in the aorta at the region of the isthmus of the aorta that can cause high blood pressure, left ventricle failure and much more.

* Double Outlet Right Ventricle - DORV

A more complex defect caused by the aorta arising from the right ventricle, it can mimic many different conditions clinically.

* Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome - HLHS

Caused by a general under-development of the left sided heart structures, this severe condition is recently being treated with improving outcomes.

* Pulmonary Stenosis - PS

Narrowing of the pulmonary valve that guards the opening to the pulmonary artery causes a strain on the right ventricle with harmful effects.

* Patent Ductus Arteriosus - PDA

This abnormal persistence of a communication between the aorta and pulmonary artery results in an excessive lung blood flow.

* Tricuspid Atresia - TA

When the tricuspid valve is imperforate from birth, there is only one functional ventricle. Treatment is by a Fontan operation.

* Transposition of Great Arteries - TGA

When the aorta and pulmonary arteries arise from the "wrong" ventricles, there is a mixing of pure and impure blood with harmful effects.

* Ventricular Septal Defect - VSD

The wall between the two ventricles has a defect in this condition resulting in blood going from the left ventricle into the right, causing more lung blood flow.

* Coarctation of the Aorta

A short account of this disease that narrows the great artery of the body.

* Arterial Switch Operation for TGA

A simple explanation of this elegant operation for transposed great arteries, a complex birth defect of the heart.

* Palliative Operations for Tetralogy of Fallot

A short account of the various shunt procedures that pave the way to later corrective surgery.

* Mustard Operation for TGA Options for RV failure

Right ventricle failure in the long term is a limiting factor in the success of atrial switch for TGA. An account of options available in this situation.

* Outcome after Mustard Operation for TGA

The older atrial switch operation for TGA has many survivors. A look at what kind of outcome can be expected for them.

* Ebstein's Anomaly

A simple description of this complex cyanotic heart disease and methods of it's treatment.

* Patent Ductus Arteriosus

A look at a common birth defect of the heart, an abnormal connection between the two great arteries the aorta and pulmonary artery.

* Pulmonary Autograft (Ross Operation) for Aortic Stenosis

Using the patient's own pulmonary valve to replace a diseased aortic valve combines advantages of a homograft with the benefits of using autologous tissue.

* Congenital Heart Disease and Pregnancy

This article deals with the impact that birth defects of the heart have on the course of a pregnancy, and discusses some specific conditions in pregnancy.

* VSD Treatment Options

Treatment options for this common birth defect of the heart are discussed.

* Ventricular Septal Defect

A simple explanation of a birth defect caused by a hole between two ventricles of the heart.

Life changing. There is no cure.

A DAY FOR HEARTS gives the chance to take on a humane cause: Promoting Awareness of Congenital Heart Defects.

Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) are a lethal constellation of birth defects of the heart that affect millions of newborn infants and children worldwide; a killer that claims thousands of lives every year. Eight of every 1000 children born alive (0.8%) will have some form of congenital heart defect.

On this special day, February 14th, A DAY FOR HEARTS, a concerted global effort is being made to heighten awareness of this deadly group of diseases. I support this event by offering information, resources and support to those whose lives have been touched by Congenital Heart Defects.

CHD : The Facts

* Occurs in 8 of every 1,000 live births

* About 3,00,000 Indians born with CHD each year

* 32,000 babies with CHD every year in the U.S. alone

* Atleast 35 distinct forms recognized

* Mortality from CHD is decreasing

* But CHD incidence has not declined.

Congenital heart defects are responsible for more deaths in the first year of life than any other birth defects, the National Institutes of Health reports. This site is devoted to providing information to members of the world-wide congenital heart defect (CHD) community.

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