Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)

Congenital heart diseases are a broad set of structural heart defects present since birth, owing to specific chromosomal and genetic defects through three to eight weeks of prenatal life. They have been traditionally divided into cyanotic and acyanotic heart diseases. Acyanotic heart diseases are further sub-classified into shunt lesions and obstructive lesions. A fair knowledge of obstructive lesions, principally ventricular outflow obstruction lesions and their natural history and diagnostic tools is a prerequisite to address the rise in their numbers. Not all lesions require a surgical intervention with regular monitoring proving to be adequate; there are specific indications for interventions in more severe obstructions.

Congenital heart diseases are a broad set of structural defects in the heart present since birth that manifest from the perinatal period to late adulthood. Owing to specific chromosomal and single gene disorders, patients with CHD usually have significant problems involving other organ systems. A proper history and physical examination, along with an array of investigations, usually are sufficient to reach a diagnosis. While some diseases may resolve spontaneously (fossa ovalis ASD and small muscular VSD can close on their own), most of the children with cyanotic heart disease rarely survive beyond early childhood and hence, necessitate corrective surgical interventions.