Tetralogy of Fallot is coexistence of four malformations: pulmonary stenosis, ventricular septal defect, overriding aorta, and right ventricular hypertrophy. Symptoms include progressive cyanosis from youth, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, fatigue, and poor endurance for activities. Hypoxic episodes can occur in strenuous activities or crying, or on waking up in the morning. Patient children may have sudden difficulty in breathing and aggravated cyanosis. Severe cases can have convulsion and fainting. A small number of patients may have symptoms such as nose bleeding, coughing up blood or brain abscess. Patient children like squatting. If not treated, physical activity is severely restricted and growth is also affected.
How is Tetralogy of Fallot treated in practice?