Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt Symptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More

Learn About Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt

What is the definition of Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt?

A cardiovascular shunt is an abnormal pattern of blood circulation between the right and left sides of the heart or between the systemic and pulmonary vessels. A congenital shunt is present at birth. The circulatory system has a normal pathway for blood distribution in which every heart beat provides freshly oxygenated blood to the body. When a shunt is present this normal flow of blood may not occur. There are two main groups of shunts, acyanotic shunts and cyanotic shunts. The most common congenital cardiovascular shunts are acyanotic and known as atrial septal defects. Congenital cardiovascular shunts are the most common congenital heart defects, affecting roughly 1% of all births that have some type of congenital heart problem.

Save information for later

What are the alternative names for Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt?

Intracardiac shunts, right-left shunt, left-right shunt or bidirectional shunt, atrial septal defects, congenital heart defect, congenital heart anomaly

What are the causes of Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt?

A congenital cardiovascular shunt is present at birth and result from abnormal embryo development.

What are the symptoms of Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt?

Symptoms of cardiovascular shunts are dependent on the severity of the abnormal blood flow and the location of the shunt. Sometime the condition is asymptomatic, especially in childhood, although symptoms may appear in adolescence or adulthood. Symptoms of acyanotic shunts: Irregular heartbeats or palpitations Dizziness Shortness of breath and tiring easily Symptoms for more serious cyantonic shunts include: A bluish discoloration of the skin called cyanosis Difficulty breathing Coughing up blood Clubbing of the fingernails or toenails

Not sure about your diagnosis?

Check Your Symptoms

What are the current treatments for Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt?

Treatment depends on the type and location of the shunt and range from clinical observation to surgical intervention. Small acyanotic shunts often do not need treatment and may close on there own over time. Larger acyanotic shunts need to be closed surgically to avoid complications. Cyanotic shunts, which are more serious and have a higher rate of mortality, often require surgery to correct the defect.

Who are the top Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt Local Doctors?

Dr. Bryan H. Goldstein

Pediatric Cardiology | Cardiology | Pediatrics

Elite

Highly rated in

conditions

Pediatric Cardiology
Cardiology
Pediatrics

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

UPMC Childrens Hospital Of Pittsburgh

4401 Penn Ave,

Pittsburgh, PA

Bryan Goldstein is a Pediatric Cardiologist and a Cardiologist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Goldstein has been practicing medicine for over 19 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt. He is also highly rated in 13 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt, Pulmonary Atresia, Pulmonary Atresia with Intact Ventricular Septum, Stent Placement, and Angioplasty. He is licensed to treat patients in Pennsylvania. Goldstein is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Andrew C. Glatz

Pediatric Cardiology | Pediatrics

Elite

Highly rated in

conditions

Pediatric Cardiology
Pediatrics

Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia

3401 Civic Center Blvd,

Philadelphia, PA

Andrew Glatz is a Pediatric Cardiologist and a Pediatrics expert in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Glatz has been practicing medicine for over 21 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt. He is also highly rated in 16 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt, Pulmonary Atresia with Intact Ventricular Septum, Pulmonary Atresia, Stent Placement, and Heart Transplant. He is licensed to treat patients in Missouri. Glatz is currently accepting new patients.

Learn about our expert tiers

Learn more

Jurgen Horer

Elite

Highly rated in

conditions

University Of Munich

Department Of Congenital And Pediatric Heart Surgery,

Munich, BY, DE

Jurgen Horer practices in Munich, Germany. Horer is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt. They are also highly rated in 18 other conditions, according to our data. Their top areas of expertise are Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt, Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), Aortic Valve Replacement, and Heart Transplant.

View All Doctors

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt?

In all cases of congenital cardiovascular shunts close observation and timely intervention are critical. The prognosis ranges from living a normal life to potentially fatal. Acyanotic shunts are less serious than cyanotic shunts and often close on their own over time. Larger ones may require surgery to repair, but if proper treatment is undertaken before the onset of serious symptoms the prognosis for recovery is good. Cyanotic shunts and untreated symptomatic acyanotic shunts have a worse prognosis. If severe pulmonary hypertension develops or if there is permanent damage to the blood vessels in the lungs a heart or lung transplant may be necessary. When severe cyanotic anomalies are present soon after birth immediate surgery is needed in order to increase the chance of survival.

What are the possible complications of Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt?

Most shunts are benign and do not cause complications. In severe cases of cyanotic shunts possible complications can be recurrent infections, pulmonary hypertension, right side heart failure, Eisenmenger syndrome, infections in the heart valves or linings of the heart and disturbances in the heart rhythm. Death is possible in severe cases.

What are the latest Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt Clinical Trials?

Comparison of Methods of Pulmonary Blood Flow Augmentation in Neonates: Shunt Versus Stent (The COMPASS Trial)

Enrollment Status: Recruiting

Publish Date: November 23, 2022

Intervention Type: Procedure, Device

Study Phase: Not Applicable

Summary: COMPASS is a prospective multicenter randomized interventional trial. Participants with ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow will be randomized to receive either a systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt or ductal artery stent. Block randomization will be performed by center and by single vs. two ventricle status. Participants will be followed through the first year of life.

Match to trials

Find the right clinical trials for you in under a minute

Get started

Evaluation of the Standard Data Collected as Part of the Erlangen Protocol for the Treatment and Monitoring of Patients With Univentricular Heart Defects in Terms of the Fontan Procedure

Enrollment Status: Recruiting

Publish Date: November 17, 2022

Intervention Type: Other

Study Phase: Not Applicable

Summary: Univentricular heart defects are among the most complex congenital malformations. The treatment of these patients usually includes 3 operations and accompanying diagnostics, some of which are invasive, within the first 3 to 4 years of life until the fontan circulation is established. Unfortunately, the group of patients with a univentricular cardiac malformation is also the group with the highest ...

View All Clinical Trials

What are the Latest Advances for Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt?