Overview
Clinical Meaning
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are classified by hemodynamic effect: acyanotic (left to right shunts increasing pulmonary blood flow) and cyanotic (right to left shunts or mixi...
AGPCNP
AGPCNP
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are classified by hemodynamic effect: acyanotic (left-to-right shunts increasing pulmonary blood flow) and cyanotic (right-to-left shunts or mixing lesions causing systemic desaturation). Acyanotic defects include VSD (most common CHD), ASD, and PDA; blood shunts from high-pressure left heart to low-pressure right heart, causing volume overload and eventual pulmonary hypertension. If untreated, chronic left-to-right shunting causes irreversible pulmonary vascular remodeling (Eisenmenger syndrome), where pulmonary resistance exceeds systemic resistance and the shunt REVERSES to right-to-left, causing cyanosis. Cyanotic defects include Tetralogy of Fallot (most common cyanotic CHD: VSD + overriding aorta + RV outflow tract obstruction + RV hypertrophy) and transposition of the great arteries (TGA: aorta from RV, pulmonary artery from LV -- incompatible with life without mixing).
Unlock full lesson + practice questions
4 more sections with scenarios, priorities, and review drills.
Next study step
Finish the lesson first, then choose a focused activity to apply what you just reviewed.
Continue studying
Sign in to save progress on this lesson.
Unlock the interactive lesson quiz with a plan that includes this AGPCNP pathway. You can still explore topic-filtered questions from the bank hubs below.