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Tetralogy of Fallot is an uncommon, but deadly, congenital heart condition apparent at birth that involves four connected disorders of the heart's anatomy. These include a ventricular septal defect, a hole between the lower chambers; pulmonary stenosis, a narrowing of the pulmonary valve; an overriding aorta, a misplaced aorta; and right ventricular hypertrophy, a thickening of the right heart muscle. These problems combine to limit the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the body, sometimes resulting in a bluish skin colour called cyanosis.

Symptoms usually start in infancy and might include trouble feeding, low weight gain, fast breathing, exhaustion, and “tet spells", which are sudden attacks of severe oxygen deprivation. The specific cause isn’t always clear, but genetic and environmental variables during pregnancy may be involved.

The diagnosis is often made by physical examination, Echocardiography, chest imaging and other cardiac tests. Often, the child needs open-heart surgery as an infant to correct the abnormalities and increase the blood flow. Most people with Tetralogy of Fallot can lead active and healthy lives with early intervention and lifelong follow-up care from specialists in Cardiology.