Tetralogy of Fallot

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• There is a hole between the lower right and left parts of the heart. This is called a ventricular (ven-TRICK-u-ler) septal (SEP-tul) defect (a VSD).
• The aorta (a-OR-tuh), a major artery that sends blood to the body, gets very big and is pushed out of place.
• There isn't enough blood flowing to the lungs.
• The lower-right part of the heart is larger than normal.

Causes

Signs/Symptoms

Care

Risks

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• Ask your doctor when you should return for a checkup and make an appointment. Give the child all medicines exactly as directed.
• Your doctor may suggest you give your child oxygen after you go home. You'll be told how often to use it and how long each session should be. Follow these directions exactly.
• Talk to the doctor about your child's activity at home, in day care, or in school.
• If your child is older, he or she will need to take antibiotics before and after dental work. They are needed to prevent infection from developing inside the heart.

Call Your Doctor If...

• Your child has a high temperature.
• Your child is not eating or drinking as usual or is fussy.

Seek Care Immediately If...

• The child has trouble breathing, the skin between the ribs is being sucked in with each breath, or the lips or nailbeds are turning blue or white. Call 911 or O (operator) for help.

IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE HOSPITAL...

What to Expect While You're There

• Taking Vital Signs: These include the child's temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting heartbeats), and respirations (counting breaths). A stethoscope is used to listen to the child's heart and lungs. Blood pressure is taken by wrapping a cuff around the arm.
• Oxygen: May be given using nasal prongs or a face mask.
• Pulse Oximeter: Your child may be hooked up to a pulse oximeter (ox-IM-ih-ter). It is placed on the ear, finger, or toe and is connected to a machine that measures the oxygen in your child's blood.
• IV: A tube placed in your child's vein for giving medicine or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to it.
• Blood: Is usually taken from a vein in your child's hand or head, or from the bend in the elbow. Tests will be done on the blood.
• Blood Gases: Blood is taken from an artery in your child's wrist, elbow, or groin. It is tested to see how much oxygen it contains.
• Chest X-ray: This picture of your child's heart and lungs shows how they are handling the illness.
• ECG: Also called a heart monitor, an electrocardiograph (e-LEK-tro-CAR-dee-o-graf), or EKG. The patches on your child's chest are hooked up to a TV-type screen. This screen shows a tracing of each heartbeat. Your child's heart will be watched carefully throughout hospitalization.
• 12 Lead ECG: This test makes tracings from different parts of your child's heart. It can help your doctor gage the seriousness of the problem.
• ECHO: Also called an echocardiogram (ek-oh-CAR-dee-o-gram). This uses sound waves to view your child's heart while it is beating. It can help care givers decide what is causing the heart failure.
• Cardiac Catheterization (cath-uh-ter-i-ZAY-shun): A test used to study the arteries sending blood to your child's heart.
• Surgery: An operation may be needed if the heart problems are serious.
• Emotional Comfort and Support:
  • You may stay with your child to give comfort and support. Children feel safer in the hospital if parents are close by.
  • As a parent, you may feel scared, confused, and anxious about your child's heart problem. You may blame yourself and think you have done something wrong. To work out these feelings, talk about them with your doctor or someone close to you.
  • Ask your doctor about support groups for parents who have children with heart problems.