Case Study: Tetralogy Of Fallot

Abstract
This paper explores Tetralogy of Fallot repair and the four defects of the heart and its major blood vessels that it includes. The first being a ventricular septal defect which is a hole between the right and left ventricles. Narrowing of the pulmonary outflow tract which is the valve and artery that connect to the heart with the lungs. Overriding aorta that is shifted over the right ventricle and ventricular septal defect instead of coming out only from the left ventricle. Lastly, the thickened wall of the right ventricle which is right ventricular hypertrophy (Schumacher, Arbor, Zieve, Black, November 2013, Paragraph 2). It will also discuss the surgical procedures done to correct these four defects and what surgical instruments
Four heart defects that it involves are ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis, right ventricular hypertrophy, and displacement of the aorta. This defect causes not enough blood to reach the lungs to get oxygen, and oxygen-poor blood flows throughout the body (Tetralogy of Fallot, July 2011, What is Tetralogy of Fallot, Paragraph
Babies who have un-repaired Tetralogy of Fallot have Tet spells, which is a response to an activity such as crying or having a bowel movement. The reason Tet spells will occur is because the oxygen level in their blood suddenly drops (Tetralogy of Fallot, July 2011, What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Tetralogy of Fallot, Paragraph 3). Tet spells are the most common in young infants, around 2 to 4 months old (Tetralogy of Fallot, February 2012, Symptoms, Paragraph 2). In result of the lack of oxygen in their blood the baby will turn very blue in the mouth, hands and feet. They can also have a difficult time breathing, and become very tired. The baby or child may become limp while feeding, not respond to a parent’s voice or touch, become very fussy, or even pass out due to having this defect (Tetralogy of Fallot, July 2011, What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Tetralogy of Fallot, Paragraph 3). The goal of the surgical procedure is to repair the four defects. It is performed by open-heart surgery, either soon after birth or later in infancy. The timing of the surgery will depend on how narrow the pulmonary artery is. There are two different types of surgeries available for child (Tetralogy of Fallot, July 2011, How is Tetralogy of Fallot Treated, Paragraph 1). When more than one surgery is used, the