Middle East Heart Congress

The diagnosis of cardiac disease is not always straightforward because physical examination, ECG, and CXR are oft en diffi cult to interpret in the newborn period compared to older infant or child. Although echocardiography is required to precisely defi ne the anatomical abnormality, it is usually possible to defi ne the functional abnormality on the basis of the clinical and radiographic fi ndings.

Th e timing of presentation and severity depends on:

• Nature and severity of defect

• Th e alteration in cardiovascular physiology secondary to the eff ect of the transitional circulation as

• Closure of ductus / restriction of patent foramen ovale (PFO)

• Fall in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR)

Th e most important factors in narrowing down the diagnostic possibilities are:

1-Th e clinical presentation

• Shock (ductal dependent systemic circ.) (Grey baby)

• Cyanosis (ductal dependent pulmonary circ.) (Blue Baby) including severe Ebstein’s anomaly