Easy Solutions Of Heart Muscle From The Onslaught Of Tetralogy Of Fallot

Tetralogy of Fallot – Introduction

Tetralogy of Fallot is one of the commonest causes of congenital heart conditions in children, responsible for mixing together blood rich in oxygen and the blood with less oxygen. In this condition, the blood flowing across to the organs of the body from the heart are oxygen deficient, while the blood reaching the different tissues is responsible for cyanosis. In the case of tetralogy of Fallot, there are certain conditions of the heart, usually of congenital and developmental nature, which are grouped into four types, thereby giving the name of the condition. This is supposedly a structural defect of the heart with rare detection. Usually, this condition is mired by multiple defects of the heart and its chambers, including the ventricular septal defect or VSD, pulmonary stenosis, overriding aorta and right ventricular hypertrophy.

With all these conditions present at the same time, less amount of blood reaches the lungs and consequently, less oxygenated blood passed on to the organs. Patients, especially the babies having the inherent problem of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), usually will get cyanosis or bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membrane. To correct the tetralogy of Fallot, open heart surgery is a requirement, but the exact timing of surgery has to be finalised after thorough assessment. Depending on the size of the pulmonary artery, surgery is usually scheduled. In India, this particular condition of the heart and its function is nowadays possible to be treated with the right surgeries and thereafter the kids can live a long life till adulthood, albeit with proper maintenance and treatment as and when required.

It is a problem of the heart, in which the developmental defects are seen and there is abnormal fusion of different points of the heart, thereby leaving out defects. But, nothing specific has been known about the performance of this particular tetralogy of defects.

What is meant by Tetralogy of Fallot

Primarily, the condition of blue baby syndrome due to Tetralogy of Fallot, comprises four different conditions of the heart, seen as a congenital heart disease. It is one of the most commonly seen congenital conditions and the most common reason for cyanotic heart disease, where the signs and symptoms cluster to form blue baby syndrome. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment in this particular case. It is about corrective surgery to be undertaken at the earliest and hence the surgery is preferably done in the first year of life. Sometimes, the corrective surgery doesn’t last for a long time, creating arrhythmia, pulmonary regurgitation and re-operation. In specifically Tetralogy of Fallot, there are four important conditions, which have to be known in detail to understand about the surgical procedures to be undertaken.

In the case of right ventricular hypertrophy, there the pulmonary artery is blocked, for which the work done by the right ventricle in pushing the blood into the lungs is increased. Consequently, the ventricular musculature can increase in size.

In VSD or ventricular septal defect, which is quite common as an independent unit, there is mixing of the oxygen rich and oxygen poor blood in the two ventricles with a hole, which leads to cyanosis. Aorta, considered to be the primary artery going out from the left ventricle, is placed abnormally. This placement is between the right and left ventricles.

Another part of the TOF is the pulmonary valve stenosis, as VSD is seen juxtaposed with this condition also. This condition is also responsible for cyanosis, which can be seen in case of severity of the condition.

If these abnormalities are present from the very beginning of life, then it becomes difficult to handle the situation. Not only immediate surgery is a must, but there is also the necessity to diagnose the condition rightly and take necessary palliative and life saving measures, which is done in many of the best cardiology centres in India for handling Tetralogy of Fallot cases.

Causes of Tetralogy of Fallot

Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that includes four heart abnormalities. These abnormalities are usually present at birth and can include a hole in the wall between the right and left ventricles, an obstruction of blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery, and a thickened muscular wall of the right ventricle. The fourth abnormality, an overriding aorta, occurs when the aorta lies directly over the ventricular septal defect. This condition can be mild or severe, depending on how much blood flow is obstructed.

The cause of Tetralogy of Fallot is unknown, but it is believed to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Studies have shown that certain genes may play a role in the development of this condition.

Tetralogy of Fallot Surgery in India

Tetralogy of Fallot Surgery in India is performed on infants and children who have congenital heart defects. The surgery is performed by a team of surgeons, cardiologists, and anesthetists. The surgery usually takes place in a hospital in Delhi or Mumbai.

The cost of tetralogy of fallot surgery in India is much cheaper than in developed countries. This is because the Indian government subsidizes the cost of healthcare. In addition, there are many hospitals and clinics that offer free or low-cost surgeries to patients from low-income families.

The success rate of the surgery in India is high, with most patients recovering well and living normal, healthy lives afterwards. However, there are some risks associated with the surgery, such as infection and bleeding. These risks are typically low, but they do exist.