Congenital Heart Defects
Cardiac Physiology
Common NICU Cardiac Medications
Diagnostic Tools
Interventions & Procedures
100
This is the most common congenital heart defect.
What is Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)?
100
This structure allows oxygenated blood from the placenta to bypass the liver.
What is the ductus venosus?
100
This medication is given to close a PDA.
What is ibuprofen?
100
This bedside tool is used to measure oxygen saturation.
What is pulse oximetry?
100
This procedure uses a balloon to open a narrowed valve.
What is balloon valvuloplasty?
200
This defect results in a boot-shaped heart on X-ray.
What is Tetralogy of Fallot?
200
Name the opening between right and left atria present before birth.
What is the foramen ovale?
200
This medication keeps the ductus arteriosus open in ductal dependent heart defects.
What is prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)?
200
The gold standard imaging for diagnosing structural heart defects.
What is echocardiography?
200
This intervention is performed when a newborn has ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow.
What is prostaglandin infusion?
300
This heart defect requires prostaglandin to keep the ductus arteriosus open.
What is Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)?
300
In fetal circulation, this vessel carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus.
What is the umbilical vein?
300
This medication is used to treat neonatal supraventricular tachycardia.
What is adenosine?
300
Which test detects electrical activity of the heart?
What is electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)?
300
This surgical procedure temporarily delivers high oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from the blood.
What is extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)?
400
This defect is characterized by a “machinery murmur” and frequently affects premature infants.
What is Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)?
400
After birth, systemic vascular resistance ____, pulmonary vascular resistance ____.
What is increases; decreases?
400
This medication is a vasopressor used in shock to increase blood pressure.
What is dopamine?
400
This physical exam finding may suggest congenital heart disease in a newborn.
What is a heart murmur?
400
This procedure closes a PDA without surgery.
What is cardiac catheterization (coil or device closure)?
500
This cyanotic heart defect involves a single ventricle receiving blood from both atria.
What is Tricuspid Atresia?
500
Name the sequence of closure for fetal shunts after birth.
What is ductus venosus → foramen ovale → ductus arteriosus?
500
This medication is a positive inotrope and vasodilator, used in severe heart failure.
What is milrinone?
500
This test is used to screen for critical CHD before discharge.
What is pre- and post-ductal pulse oximetry?
500
This surgery is the first stage for infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
What is the Norwood procedure?