Fetal Heart and Congenital Heart Defects

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to the fetal heart and congenital heart defects, aiding in exam preparation.

Congenital Heart Disease

A heart defect that develops during fetal life, leading to structural abnormalities.

High Output Heart Failure

A condition where the heart pumps an excessive amount of blood due to increased demand.

Ductus Venosus

A vessel that allows oxygenated blood from the umbilical vein to bypass the liver.

Foramen Ovale

An opening between the right and left atria that allows blood to bypass the non-functioning fetal lungs.

Ductus Arteriosus

A vessel connecting the pulmonary artery to the aorta, allowing blood to bypass the lungs in fetal circulation.

Normal Fetal Heart Position

The fetal heart should be angled 45º to the left and occupy about 1/3 of the thoracic cavity.

Tricuspid Valve

The valve between the right atrium and right ventricle that ensures one-way blood flow.

Mitral Valve

The valve between the left atrium and left ventricle responsible for preventing backflow.

Atrial Rate vs. Heart Rate

Atrial rate refers to the contractions of the atria, whereas heart rate measures overall heart contractions.

Sinus Rhythm

A normal heart rhythm originating from the sinoatrial (SA) node.

Dysrhythmia

An abnormal heart rhythm, which can be a sign of underlying heart issues.

Cardiac Axis

The direction of the heart's electrical activity during contraction.

Atrioventricular Node

A cluster of cells that relay electrical signals from the atria to the ventricles.

4-Chamber View

An ultrasound view that visualizes the heart's four chambers, used to assess structural integrity.

Obstruction of Blood Flow

A blockage that impedes normal blood circulation within the heart or vessels.

Ebstein's Anomaly

A congenital heart defect characterized by abnormal displacement of the tricuspid valve.

Tetralogy of Fallot

A congenital heart condition involving four related heart defects.

Septal Defect

An abnormal opening in the wall dividing the heart chambers, can be ventricular or atrial.

Coarctation of the Aorta

A narrowing of the aorta, which can lead to various complications.

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

A condition where the left side of the heart is underdeveloped.

Single Ventricle

A congenital defect where only one ventricles functions effectively.

Preterm Birth Risks

Increased risks associated with delivering a baby before 37 weeks gestation.

Postnatal Care

Care provided to a newborn after birth, particularly important for babies with congenital defects.

Truncus Arteriosus

A heart defect where a single vessel carries blood to the lungs and body.

Double Outlet Right Ventricle

A condition where both the aorta and pulmonary artery arise from the right ventricle.

Fetal Circulation

The unique pattern of blood flow in a fetus that differs from postnatal circulation.

Congenital Anomalies

Birth defects that occur due to abnormal development before birth.

Anomalous Coronary Arteries

Defect in which coronary arteries deviate from normal anatomy.

Arrhythmia

An irregular heartbeat, can involve a slow or fast rate.

Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava

An abnormal configuration where a left superior vena cava is present in addition to a right one.

Mechanical Heart Functions

Refers to the physical actions that the heart performs to circulate blood.

Hydrops Fetalis

A severe condition in a fetus characterized by an abnormal collection of fluid in body cavities.

Maternal Factors

Conditions or exposures from the mother that may affect fetal development.

Fetal Activity Monitoring

The assessment of fetal heart rate and movement over time to evaluate health.

Positional Abnormalities

Anomalies related to the positioning of the heart and other thoracic structures.

Ectopia Cordis

A rare condition where the heart is partially or totally outside the thorax.

Cardiac Tumors

Abnormal growths within the heart or surrounding areas, which may be benign or malignant.

Left Ventricular Outflow Tract (LVOT)

The pathway through which blood exits the left ventricle into the aorta.

Right Ventricular Outflow Tract (RVOT)

The conduit for blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery.

Fetal Cardiology

The field of medicine focused on diagnosing and treating heart conditions in fetuses.