Eisenmenger syndrome
Eisenmenger syndrome is a complication of congenital heart disease The most common cause of Eisenmenger's syndrome is a cavity (shunt) between the two chambers of the heart that develops as a result of a heart effect. The cavity causes blood to circulate improperly in the heart and lungs Instead of going to the rest of the body, excess blood returns to the lungs The blood vessels in the pulmonary arteries narrow and harden, increasing the pressure in these arteries This process permanently damages the pulmonary blood vessels
Eisenmenger syndrome develops when the pressure in the pulmonary arteries is so great that the direction of blood flow in the defect cavity is reversed. Blood with low oxygen content (blue) from the right side of the heart passes into the left ventricle and is repulsed in the direction of the body, as a result of which the patient's organs and tissues do not receive enough blood. Eisenmenger syndrome is a life-threatening disease that requires regular medical monitoring Medications can improve symptoms and prognosis
Eisenmenger syndrome is mainly caused by a cavity between the heart cells In order to understand how the syndrome affects the lungs and heart, it is necessary to know how the heart works under normal conditions
How the heart works The heart is divided into four cells, two of which are located on the right side of the heart and two on the left side. The heart uses cells on the left and right sides to pump blood for different purposes The right side pumps blood into the blood vessels that carry the blood to the lungs Blood in the lungs is enriched with oxygen and returns to the left side of the heart The left side of the heart pumps blood into a large blood vessel called the aorta The aorta then carries blood to the rest of the body Valves control the flow of blood into and out of cells These valves open to allow blood to flow to the next cell or artery and close to prevent spilled blood from flowing back.
How is Eisenmenger syndrome formed The cause of standing in patients with Eisenmenger syndrome is mainly a cavity (shunt) between the main blood vessels or cells of the heart. A shunt is a congenital heart defect Congenital heart diseases that cause Eisenmenger syndrome:
- Ventricular septal defect A cavity in the wall between the heart's left and right main blood-pumping cells is the most common cause of Eisenmenger syndrome.
- atrial septal defect An atrial septal defect is a cavity in the wall between the upper chambers of the heart
- Botalo duct left open In this heart defect, there is an abnormal connection between the oxygen-poor pulmonary artery and the oxygen-rich artery (the aorta).
- atrioventricular canal defect In this congenital heart disease, there is a cavity in the center of the heart where the walls between the upper and lower chambers of the heart meet As a result, impaired function of any heart valve may be noted
In any of the mentioned defects, the blood passing through the shunt causes an increase in pressure in the pulmonary artery. Over time, the increased pressure also damages the small blood vessels in the lungs It is difficult for red blood cells in damaged blood vessels to connect with oxygen Eisenmenger syndrome occurs when blood in the shunt begins to flow in opposite directions, causing oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood to mix. This process lowers the oxygen content of the blood (cyanosis), resulting in increased production of red blood cells to compensate for the lack of oxygen.
Symptoms of Eisenmenger syndrome:
- Blue or gray discoloration of the skin (cyanosis_
- Large, rounded nails on the hands or feet
- Tiring easily and shortness of breath during physical exertion
- Shortness of breath at rest Regardless of whether or not you have been diagnosed with a heart defect, symptoms such as cyanosis and shortness of breath indicate a health problem that requires immediate medical attention.
