Acyanotic heart defect
An acyanotic heart defect, is a class of congenital heart defects. In these, blood is shunted from the left side of the heart to the right side of the heart, most often due to a structural defect in the interventricular septum. People often retain normal levels of oxyhemoglobin saturation in systemic circulation.
This term is outdated, because a person with an acyanotic heart defect may show cyanosis.
Signs and symptoms
Presentation is the following:- Shortness of breath
- Congested cough
- Diaphoresis
- Fatigue
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Machine-like heart murmur
- Tachycardia
- Tachypnea
- Respiratory distress
- Mild cyanosis
- Poor growth and development
Complications
This condition can cause congestive heart failure.Diagnosis
Types
Left to right shunting heart defects include:- Ventricular septal defect
- Atrial septal defect
- Atrioventricular septal defect
- Patent ductus arteriosus
Acyanotic heart defects without shunting include:
Management
Treatment of this condition can be done via:- Medications: Digoxin/Lanoxin
- Diuretics: Furosemide/Lasix
- Surgery