18/04/2025
What Is Tetralogy of Fallot?
Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) includes 4 congenital heart problems. With TOF, the lungs do not get enough blood. This condition can be mild to severe.
These 4 heart problems in TOF are:
1. Ventricular septal defect (VSD): A hole between the 2 bottom pumping chambers of the heart (ventricles).
2. Overriding of the aorta: In the normal heart, the aorta comes off the left ventricle. In TOF, the aorta sits between the right and left ventricles, over the VSD.
3. Pulmonary stenosis: The pulmonary valve is more narrow than normal and does not open properly. This makes it harder for the right ventricle to pump blood to the lungs. This causes the baby to have low oxygen levels.
4. Right ventricular hypertrophy: The right part of the heart has to work harder. This causes the walls of the right pumping chamber (ventricle) to get thicker. This is called hypertrophy.