Tetralogy of Fallot is made up of 4 defects: a hole between the two ventricles (VSD), a narrow pulmonary valve and artery (pulmonary stenosis), a misplaced aorta which is over both ventricles, and thicker muscles in the right ventricle.
Pulmonary atresia means that there is no connection between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery, which prevents blood from flowing out of the right ventricle and to the lungs. Instead, blood is forced through a hole (an atrial septal defect) between the top two chambers (atria) to send deoxygenated blood to the left side of the heart. The deoxygenated blood travels through the aorta and ductus arteriosus (a connection between the aorta and pulmonary artery) to reach the pulmonary artery and lungs. The right ventricle is often underdeveloped and very small (hypoplastic). Babies born with this condition need a way for the de-oxygenated blood to reach the lungs and pick up oxygen.
explore modelPulmonary atresia means that there is no connection between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery, which prevents blood from flowing out of the right ventricle and to the lungs. There is also a hole present in the ventricular septum (ventricular septal defect or VSD). Blood flows from the right ventricle to the left ventricle and the deoxygenated blood can leave the heart through the aorta. The deoxygenated blood travels through the aorta to the lungs through the ductus arteriosus (a connection between the aorta and pulmonary artery).
explore modelThis is a 3D model from a neonate with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect (VSD), and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs). This patient has 3 MAPCAs which are seen as the abnormal vessels arising from the aorta to supply the lungs. In this patient these vessels have areas of narrowing (stenosis). In this type of congenital heart disease, the patient is born without a pulmonary valve leaving no connection between the heart and the pulmonary arteries. The MAPCAs are formed by the body to supply blood to the lungs. The VSD allows blood to mix between the right and left ventricle.
explore modelTetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a set of four changes to the heart that include narrowing of the pulmonary artery (pulmonary stenosis), a hole in the ventricular septum (ventricular septal defect or VSD), the aorta moving towards the right side of the heart (“overriding aorta”), and thickening of the right ventricle (right ventricular hypertrophy).
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