What is cyanosis and what does it imply

Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. The association between cyanosis and thromboelastometry ROTEM in children with congenital heart defects: A retrospective cohort study. Anesth Analg.

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Updated by: Michael A. Editorial team. Cyanotic heart disease. Normally, blood returns from the body and flows through the heart and lungs. Blood that is low in oxygen blue blood returns from the body to the right side of the heart. The right side of the heart then pumps the blood to the lungs, where it picks up more oxygen and becomes red.

The oxygen-rich blood returns from the lungs to the left side of the heart. From there, it is pumped to the rest of the body. As a result: The blood that is pumped out to the body is lower in oxygen. Less oxygen delivered to the body can make the skin look blue cyanosis. Heart valve defects that can cause cyanosis include: Tricuspid valve the valve between the 2 chambers on the right side of the heart may be absent or unable to open wide enough.

Pulmonary valve the valve between the heart and the lungs may be absent or unable to open wide enough. Aortic valve the valve between the heart and the blood vessel to the rest of the body is unable to open wide enough.

Some examples include: Coarctation or complete interruption of the aorta Ebstein anomaly Hypoplastic left heart syndrome Tetralogy of Fallot Total anomalous pulmonary venous return Transposition of the great arteries Truncus arteriosus Certain medical conditions in the mother can increase the risk of certain cyanotic heart diseases in the infant. Some examples include: Chemical exposure Genetic and chromosomal syndromes, such as Down syndrome , trisomy 13 , Turner syndrome , Marfan syndrome , and Noonan syndrome Infections such as rubella during pregnancy Poorly controlled blood sugar level in women who have diabetes during pregnancy Medicines prescribed by your health care provider or bought on your own and used during pregnancy Street drugs used during pregnancy.

Some heart defects cause major problems right after birth. During these spells, symptoms may include: Anxiety Breathing too quickly hyperventilation Sudden increase in bluish color to the skin Infants may get tired or sweat while feeding and may not gain as much weight as they should.

Fainting syncope and chest pain may occur. Other symptoms depend on the type of cyanotic heart disease, and may include: Feeding problems or reduced appetite, leading to poor growth Grayish skin Puffy eyes or face Tiredness all the time. Exams and Tests. Tests will vary depending on the cause, but may include: Chest x-ray Checking oxygen level in the blood using an arterial blood gas test or by checking it through the skin with a pulse oximeter Complete blood count CBC ECG electrocardiogram Looking at the heart structure and blood vessels using echocardiogram or MRI of the heart Passing a thin flexible tube catheter into the right or left side of the heart, usually from the groin cardiac catheterization Transcutaneous oxygen monitor pulse oximeter Echo-Doppler.

They may receive medicines to: Get rid of extra fluids Help the heart pump harder Keep certain blood vessels open Treat abnormal heartbeats or rhythms The treatment of choice for most congenital heart diseases is surgery to repair the defect. Outlook Prognosis. The outlook depends on the specific disorder and its severity. Possible Complications. Complications of cyanotic heart disease include: Abnormal heart rhythms and sudden death Long-term chronic high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lung Heart failure Infection in the heart Stroke Death.

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