Health Library

Congenital Heart Disease

What Are the Different Types of Congenital Heart Defect?

Congenital heart defects can be classified into several categories based on the kinds of problems the defects cause.

Too Much Blood Passes through Lungs

These defects allow oxygen-rich (red) blood that should be traveling to the body to recirculate through the lungs. This causes increased pressure and stress in the lungs. Examples are:

• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
• Atrial septal defect (ASD)
• Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
• Atrioventricular canal (AV canal or AVC)

Too Little Blood Passes through Lungs

These defects allow blood that has not been to the lungs to pick up oxygen to travel to the body. This is called oxygen-poor blood. The body does not get enough oxygen with these heart problems. The baby will be cyanotic, or look "blue." Examples are:

• Tricuspid atresia (TA)
• Pulmonary atresia (PA)
• Transposition of the great arteries (TGA)
• Tetralogy of Fallot

Too Little Blood Travels to Body

These defects are a result of underdeveloped chambers of the heart or blockages in blood vessels. This stops the right amount of blood from getting to the body to meet its needs. Examples are:

• Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)
• Coarctation of the aorta
• Aortic stenosis
• Pulmonary stenosis

Combination of Defects

Sometimes, there will be a combination of several heart defects. This makes a more complex problem that can fall into several categories.

What Causes a Congenital Heart Defect?

Most congenital heart defects have no known cause. Mothers (and fathers) often wonder if something they did during the pregnancy caused the heart problem. This is rarely the case. Some congenital heart defects do happen more often in families. This shows that there may be a genetic link. But this is usually not the cause of most types of congenital heart defects. Some congenital heart defects happen if the mother had a certain disease while pregnant (like rubella) or was taking certain medicines (like anti-seizure medicines).

In most cases, there is no specific reason as to why the heart defect happened.

How Are Congenital Heart Defects Diagnosed?

Usually, an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) is the best way to determine if a heart defect exists, what type it is, and how much the blood flow has been changed. This information helps the care team decide the best treatment plan.

How Are Congenital Heart Defects Treated?

Congenital heart defects can range from simple to complex. Some can be watched by the child's doctor and managed with or without medications. Others will need surgery. Some surgeries happen in the first few hours of life. A child may even "grow out" of some of the simpler heart defects. This can happen with a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) or atrial septal defect (ASD), as these defects may get better on their own as the child grows. Other infants will have a combination of defects. They may need several surgeries throughout their life.

Who Treats These Conditions?

Babies with congenital heart problems are treated by specialists called pediatric cardiologists. These doctors diagnose heart defects. They manage the health of the child before and after surgical repair of the heart problem.

Specialists who surgically correct heart problems in the operating room are known as pediatric cardiovascular or cardiothoracic surgeons.

Different babies born with congenital heart disease may need different types of care depending on the defect the child has. Some children may need immediate medical interventions at birth. Some may need care in a hospital shortly after birth. Others may be safely treated in a clinic or doctor’s office. If you have a child with congenital heart disease, it is important to see a qualified pediatric cardiologist for care and treatment. Going to follow-up visits and following the care they recommend will keep your child as safe and healthy as possible.