Atrial Septal Defect
An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a congenital defect, or birth defect of the heart. Congenital heart defects are the most common form of birth defects, occurring in approximately 1 per 150 children. An atrial septal defect is one of the more common congenital heart defects; the overall incidence is 2-3 per 1000. An ASD forms when the upper wall of the heart fails to properly close in the womb, leaving a hole.
Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
The pulmonary valve connects the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. When the heart squeezes, the valve opens, allowing blood to pass from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery. When the heart relaxes, the valve closes, preventing backflow of blood into the heart. Pulmonary valve stenosis refers to a condition in which the valve is abnormally narrowed. Pulmonary valve stenosis is a congenital heart defect, in other words, a birth defect of the heart. Congenital heart defects are the most common form of birth defects, occurring in approximately 1 in 150 individuals. Pulmonary valve stenosis is one of the more common congenital heart defects; the overall incidence is 0.5-1 per 1000. The cause of pulmonary valve stenosis is not entirely clear; rare cases can be associated with genetic defects or inherited syndromes.
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
A bicuspid aortic valve is a type of congenital heart defect found in children. The aortic valve connects the left ventricle and the aorta. When the heart squeezes, the valve opens, allowing blood to pass from the left ventricle into the aorta. When the heart relaxes, the valve closes, preventing backflow of blood into the heart. A normal aortic valve has three separate leaflets. A bicuspid aortic valve has only two as opposed to the normal three leaflets. In many cases, two of the three leaflets are “stuck” together resulting in the bicuspid valve. A bicuspid aortic valve is a congenital heart defect, in other words, a birth defect of the heart. Congenital heart defects are the most common form of birth defects, occurring in approximately 1 in 150 individuals.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Physiologically, a PDA allows for oxygenated blood (“red blood”) to pass from the aorta backwards into the lungs. The effect is an increase in the total amount of blood that flows to the lungs. The amount is primarily determined by the size of the patent ductus arteriosus. A large PDA can allow for a significant increase in blood flow into the lungs; a small PDA often results in a negligible increase.
Holter Monitor
A Holter monitor is a device which records a patient’s heart rhythm for a 24-hour period of time. It is typically used to detect heart rhythm disturbances which may not be picked up by an ECG.