Further investigations after abnormal fetal screening

If the fetal screening result indicates an increased risk of developmental disorders, the parents decide whether they want further investigations. The fetal structures can be examined with a more detailed ultrasound and, sometimes, an MRI. Chromosome analysis can be done on a sample from the placenta or amniotic fluid. These tests carry a small miscarriage […]

15.12.2021

Fetal screenings

Fetal screening tests during pregnancy include ultrasound examinations, blood screenings from the mother, and combinations of these methods. An abnormal screening test result does not necessarily indicate a fetal disease but suggests that further testing is needed. The expectant mother decides whether she wants more detailed fetal tests after receiving sufficient information about them. A […]

14.12.2021

Truncus arteriosus communis, TAC

Truncus arteriosus communis (TAC) is a rare congenital defect where a single arterial trunk, the “trunkus,” arises from the heart. There is a hole in the ventricular septum, and both ventricles pump their blood into this single vessel. From this common arterial trunk, both the aorta and pulmonary artery branch off. The pulmonary artery may […]

3.12.2021

Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum, PA+IVS

In Pulmonary Atresia with Intact Ventricular Septum (PA+IVS), there is no direct connection between the heart and the pulmonary artery. Blood flows to the lungs via the ductus arteriosus. The right ventricle may be very small (hypoplastic) or very large if there is significant regurgitation at the tricuspid valve. After birth, the child is given […]

Pulmonary Atresia with Ventricular Septal Defect, PA + VSD

In this heart defect, there is no direct connection between the heart and the pulmonary artery, and blood flows to the lungs via the ductus arteriosus or additional vessels, known as collateral vessels. There is a hole in the ventricular septum. The oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood entering the ventricles mixes. Typically, the right ventricle is […]

Transposition of the Great Arteries, TGA

In this heart defect, the origins of the aorta and the pulmonary artery are transposed (TGA, Transposition of the Great Arteries). The aorta abnormally arises from the right ventricle, and the pulmonary artery from the left. Oxygen-rich blood from the lungs returns to the pulmonary artery via the left ventricle and back to the lungs, […]

Tetralogy of Fallot, TOF

This defect is the most common of the so-called “blue baby” heart defects. It is called Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) because the French doctor Étienne-Louis Arthur Fallot described it as comprising four abnormalities: 1) The base of the pulmonary artery is narrow. 2) There is a hole in the ventricular septum. 3) The aorta originates […]

Coarctation of the Aorta, COA

Coarctation is a localized narrowing of the large artery, the aorta (Coarctatio Aortae), at the junction between its arch and descending part. This increases blood pressure in the head and arms and lowers blood pressure in the lower body. The left ventricle pumps blood against high pressure, leading to an increase in its muscle mass. […]

Aortic Stenosis, AS

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a malformation that restricts the opening of the aortic valve. The left ventricle pumps blood into the aorta at higher than normal pressure. The walls of the left ventricle thicken, and its function can fail. The base of the aorta above the valve enlarges. Mild aortic stenosis does not require treatment, […]

Pulmonary Stenosis, PS

Pulmonary stenosis (PS) is a malformation that restricts the opening of the pulmonary valve. This condition produces a characteristic heart murmur, and therefore the diagnosis is usually made early. The workload of the right ventricle increases as it pumps blood through the narrow valve into the pulmonary artery at higher than normal pressure. The pulmonary […]