Cardiac shunt

Cardiac Shunt

A Cardiac Shunt (pronounced: kahr-dee-ak shuhnt) is a condition that allows blood flow between two structures of the heart that are normally separated. This can occur either naturally or as a result of a medical condition.

Etymology

The term "Cardiac Shunt" is derived from the Latin word "Cardia", meaning heart, and the English word "Shunt", which means to change direction or turn aside.

Types of Cardiac Shunts

There are several types of cardiac shunts, including:

• Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
• Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)

Symptoms

Symptoms of a cardiac shunt can vary depending on the type and severity of the shunt. They may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Heart palpitations
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of a cardiac shunt typically involves a combination of physical examination, medical history, and diagnostic tests such as:

• Echocardiogram
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Cardiac catheterization

Treatment

Treatment for a cardiac shunt depends on the type and severity of the shunt. It may include:

• Medication
• Cardiac surgery
• Catheter procedures

See Also

• Heart disease
• Congenital heart defect
• Heart failure

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Cardiac shunt
• Wikipedia's article - Cardiac shunt

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