An **atrial septal defect (ASD)** is a condition where there is a hole in the wall (septum) that separates the two upper chambers of the heart, called the atria. This hole allows oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium to flow…
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a heart condition where a blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus, which normally closes shortly after birth, remains open. This vessel connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta during fetal development to bypass the lungs.…
Coarctation of the aorta is a condition where a part of the aorta, the large blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body, becomes abnormally narrow. This narrowing usually occurs just after the…
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a severe congenital heart defect where the left side of the heart, including the left ventricle, mitral valve, aortic valve, and ascending aorta, is critically underdeveloped. This condition disrupts the heart’s ability to pump…
## What Causes Truncus Arteriosus? Truncus arteriosus is a rare but serious heart defect present at birth. To understand what causes it, it helps to first know how a normal heart develops and what goes wrong when this condition occurs.…
Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is a serious congenital heart defect where the two main arteries leaving the heart—the aorta and the pulmonary artery—are switched in position. This abnormality disrupts the normal flow of blood, causing oxygen-poor blood to…
Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) is a complex congenital heart defect that arises from abnormal development of the heart during early fetal life. The root cause lies in how certain parts of the heart’s structure form and align before birth, leading…
Eisenmenger syndrome is a complex and serious heart condition that arises as a late complication of certain congenital heart defects, particularly those that cause abnormal blood flow between the heart’s chambers or vessels. Over time, this abnormal flow leads to…
Congenital heart block (CHB) is a condition present at birth where the electrical signals that control the heartbeat are partially or completely blocked as they travel from the atria (upper chambers of the heart) to the ventricles (lower chambers). This…
Rheumatic heart disease is a serious condition that arises as a complication of rheumatic fever, an autoimmune inflammatory process triggered by untreated streptococcal infections. This disease primarily affects the heart valves and endocardium, leading to significant morbidity and mortality if…