Congenital Heart Defect Types

There are many types of Reference congenital heart defects Opens New Window. If the defect lowers the amount of oxygen in the body, it is called cyanotic. If the defect doesn't affect oxygen in the body, it is called acyanotic.

What are cyanotic heart defects?

Cyanotic heart defects are defects that allow oxygen-rich blood and oxygen-poor blood to mix.

In cyanotic heart defects, less oxygen-rich blood reaches the tissues of the body. This results in the development of a bluish tint—cyanosis—to the skin, lips, and nail beds.

Cyanotic heart defects include:

• Reference Tetralogy of Fallot Opens New Window.
• Reference Transposition of the great vessels Opens New Window.
• Reference Pulmonary atresia Opens New Window.
• Reference Total anomalous pulmonary venous return Opens New Window.
• Reference Truncus arteriosus Opens New Window.
• Reference Hypoplastic left heart syndrome Opens New Window.
• Reference Tricuspid valve abnormalities Opens New Window.

What are acyanotic heart defects?

Congenital heart defects that don't normally interfere with the amount of oxygen or blood that reaches the tissues of the body are called acyanotic heart defects. A bluish tint of the skin isn't common in babies with acyanotic heart defects, although it may occur. If a bluish tint occurs, it often is during activities when the baby needs more oxygen, such as when crying and feeding.

Acyanotic congenital heart defects include:

• Reference Ventricular septal defect (VSD) Opens New Window.
• Reference Atrial septal defect (ASD) Opens New Window.
• Reference Atrioventricular septal defect Opens New Window.
• Reference Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) Opens New Window.
• Reference Pulmonary valve stenosis Opens New Window.
• Reference Aortic valve stenosis Opens New Window.
• Reference Coarctation of the aorta Opens New Window.

What are not considered defects?

A small hole in the heart, called a Reference patent foramen ovale Opens New Window, is not considered a heart defect. It happens in many healthy people. But typically it doesn't need treatment.

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