Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
Tetralogy of Fallot is a condition involving the combination of four separate heart defects. The defects affect the structure of the heart, causing oxygen-poor blood to flow out of the heart and into the rest of the body. Depending on the severity of the defects and the symptoms, Tetralogy of Fallot may be diagnosed during infancy. With early detection and appropriate treatments, most children with these defects can live a relatively normal life.
The following four birth defects of the heart and major blood vessels are involved in Tetralogy of Fallot:
- Ventricular Septal Defect - a hole in the heart between the right and left ventricles
- Pulmonary Stenosis - a narrowing of the pulmonary outflow tract, which is the valve and artery that connect the heart with the lungs
- Overriding Aorta - the artery which carries oxygenated blood to the body is shifted over the right ventricle and ventricular septal defect, instead of coming out only from the left ventricle.
- Right Ventricular Hypertrophy - a thickened muscular wall of the right ventricle
Symptoms and Complications
Like most heart birth defects, Tetralogy of Fallot is a cyanotic defect, meaning the condition causes low oxygen levels in the blood which lead to a bluish tint to the skin. This is especially evident under the fingernails and in the lips, and the effect is increased when the baby is upset. Other symptoms and complications include:
- Delayed growth and development
- Infective endocarditis, an inflammation of the inner lining of the heart
- Clubbing of the fingers
- Difficulty feeding and failure to gain weight
- Passing out and seizures
- Death
Treatment and Diagnosis
Diagnostic tests can quickly determine if a Tetralogy of Fallot diagnosis. These tests include chest X-rays, blood tests, pulse oximetry, echocardiography, electrocardiograms and catheterization. The only effective treatment for Tetralogy of Fallot is surgery, which can either be a temporary fix or a total intracardiac repair.
Most children receive the in tracardiac repair, which is an open-heart surgery performed during the first year of life. During the procedure, a patch is placed over the ventricular septal defect to close the hole between the ventricles, the pulmonary valve is repaired and the pulmonary arteries are widened.
The temporary surgery creates a bypass between the aorta and pulmonary artery, which increases blood flow to the lungs. This is usually only performed if the baby is initially not healthy enough to handle the intracardiac repair.
Talk to a Zoloft® Birth Defect Lawyer
If your baby is diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, you might qualify for compensation if you were treated with Zoloft® (sertraline Hcl) or another SSRI antidepressant during your pregnancy. To schedule a free review of your case with a qualified birth defect lawyer, please contact us today. Our Zoloft® birth defect attorneys will evaluate your circumstances to determine if you have a legitimate claim. From there, we will fight aggressively, yet with compassion for your situation, and will do whatever we can to get you and your family the compensation you need to move forward with your life.