clinical features

Last reviewed 01/2018

Affected infants are cyanotic within a few days of birth and a continuous murmur due to bronchial collaterals and/or a patent ductus arteriosus can be heard all over the precordium.

Presentation is variable:

  • congestive heart failure due to increased pulmonary blood flow via bronchial collaterals
  • severe cyanosis requiring prostaglandin E1 to maintain the ductus arteriosus and palliative surgery

A few patients have sufficient pulmonary blood flow and can be managed as for less severe tetralogy