Ebstein's anomaly

Ebstein's anomaly

Introduction

Ebstein's anomaly is an exceptional heart deficiency in which some parts of the tricuspid valve become abnormal. The function of the tricuspid valve is that it separates the lower right chamber of the heart, which is known as the right ventricle from the upper right heart chamber which is known as the right atrium. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (2012), the condition of the heart is congenital or in other words this defect present in the heart since birth.

Discussion

The essential features of Ebstein's anomaly

Following are some of the essential features of Ebstein's anomaly;

A displacement of the tricuspid valve; this is not centered between the right atrium and right ventricle, but in the depth of the right ventricle is delayed.

The right atrium is correspondingly larger and the right ventricle is smaller as per the normal heart. Thus, it pumped less oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs, which could accumulate there with oxygen.

The position of the valve leaflets; normally varying the degree of position, which basically attached to septum and wall of the right ventricle (Hraska & Murin, 2011).

Ebstein anomaly can occur in various degrees of light and the symptoms occur from very few to very hard. How much the malformation affects the data of the subject depends on how much blood reaches the lungs, where oxygen uptake and then supply to the whole body. If the anomaly is only slightly pronounced, patient can be a termed as perfectly having sound heart and completely symptom free. Some babies are of bluish discoloration of skin (called cyanosis) and this can be observed generally. In more severe cases, at the birth of the baby, the blood hardly gets to the lungs, however, this could be life-threatening illness and requires immediate medical attention (Sabiston, et. al., 2010).

Diagnosis

Ebstein anomaly can sometimes even before birth can be notice in the ultrasound image. If after birth the pulmonary blood not be sufficiently achieved, this can be life threatening for the baby as soon as the short circuit connection of the fetal circulation (ductus arteriosus) closes. In affected babies, occur signs of heart failure, increased sweating, fatigue, and cyanosis. If the abnormality is present, except the child for years remain free of symptoms of heart sounds. These murmurs are caused by the blood of the malformed tricuspid valve flows back into the atrium (Redingtoon, et. al., 2009).

When heart murmurs were detected, various tests confirm the diagnosis

Following are some of the points explaining the concept of murmurs detection and confirmation of the diagnosis;

Measurement of pulse, blood pressure and temperature, counting the breaths per minute

Listening with the stethoscope to detect changes in heart sounds

Monitoring of oxygen saturation using a pulse oximeter, whose main function is to highlight the quantity of the oxygen getting to the blood

Chest x-ray to determine cardiac size and location

ECG (electrocardiogram) for detecting the cardiac currents

Ultrasound (echocardiography) to monitor the flow of blood through the heart

Examination of the chemical equilibrium in urine and blood

If necessary, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or catheterization is ...