Disease Database - Page 188

SurgeryCardiovascular Surgery

Anomalous pulmonary venous drainage

Anomalous pulmonary venous drainage is a type of congenital heart disease. It is characterized by pulmonary veins not draining into the left atrium, but instead connecting to the right atrium or large vessels of the systemic circulation. This condition can occur in isolation, but is often associated with other cardiac malformations such as atrial septal defect. Clinically, it can be divided into partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage and total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage. The main symptoms include palpitations, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, dyspnea, developmental delay, and cyanosis.

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SurgeryCardiovascular Surgery

Transposition of the great arteries

Transposition of the great arteries (TGA), also known as transposition of the great vessels, is a congenital cardiovascular malformation resulting from abnormal embryonic development of the aorta and pulmonary artery. The human body has two types of blood circulation: systemic circulation and pulmonary circulation. Normally, systemic circulation follows the path: "left ventricle → aorta → systemic arteries → systemic capillaries → veins → right atrium," and pulmonary circulation follows: "right ventricle → pulmonary artery → pulmonary capillaries → pulmonary veins → left atrium." TGA occurs when the right ventricle connects to the aorta and the left ventricle connects to the pulmonary artery. Clinically, TGA can be classified into two types: Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (CCTGA): Also known as congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, this is a rarer form. It is characterized by the aorta originating from the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery from the left ventricle, but with discordant atrioventricular connections: the right atrium connects to the left ventricle (which functionally serves the pulmonary circulation), and the left atrium connects to the right ventricle (which functionally serves the systemic circulation). The condition is less severe, and if not accompanied by other malformations, individuals can live into adulthood. Uncorrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (d-TGA): Also known as complete transposition of the great arteries, this is more common. It is primarily divided into two types: with or without a ventricular septal defect. It is characterized by the aorta originating from the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery from the left ventricle, with concordant atrioventricular connections: the right atrium connects to the right ventricle, and the left atrium connects to the left ventricle. It is often accompanied by other cardiovascular malformations such as patent ductus arteriosus, atrial septal defect, and ventricular septal defect. The condition is severe, and without timely treatment, most affected infants die around 1 year of age.

SurgeryCardiovascular Surgery

Patent ductus arteriosus

During the fetal period, the fetal lungs do not breathe. Instead, gas and substance exchange occur between the fetus and the maternal blood through the umbilical cord and placenta. The ductus arteriosus is a normal blood flow channel between the pulmonary artery and the aorta, allowing blood from the pulmonary artery to flow directly into the aorta through the ductus arteriosus. After birth, the lungs expand and take over the function of gas exchange. The pulmonary and systemic circulations each perform their respective functions. The ductus arteriosus may close within a few months due to disuse. If it remains open after 1 year of age, it is considered patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). It is one of the common types of congenital heart disease in children. Patent ductus arteriosus is a relatively common congenital cardiovascular malformation, accounting for 10% to 21% of congenital heart diseases, with a higher incidence in females than in males.

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SurgeryCardiovascular Surgery

Tetralogy of Fallot

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a congenital heart disease and a relatively common heart developmental anomaly. It is characterized by four main cardiac structural defects: right ventricular hypertrophy, ventricular septal defect, overriding aorta, and right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (pulmonary stenosis), hence the name Tetralogy of Fallot. The incidence rate in infants and young children is approximately 0.2‰. Without treatment, most affected children die during infancy, with very few surviving to 30 years of age. After surgical correction, most children can lead normal lives.

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SurgeryCardiovascular Surgery

Aortic aneurysm

An aortic aneurysm is a localized or diffuse abnormal dilation of the aortic wall, exceeding 50% of the normal vessel diameter, forming an outward bulging vascular "tumor." As the aortic aneurysm grows, it can cause symptoms such as pain and compression of surrounding tissues and nerves, and may even rupture. Acute aortic aneurysm rupture is extremely dangerous and can be life-threatening.

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SurgeryCardiovascular Surgery