KEY POINTS 1. The normal cardiac electrical signal travels from the atria to the ventricles through a conduction system comprised of the sinus node, atrioventricular (AV) node, His bundle, and Purkinje system. 2. The AV node normally regulates the electrical…
KEY POINTS 1. Congenital heart disease (CHDs) are seen in 6 to 10 per 1000 live births. These include structural defects of the heart, of the great vessels, or both. 2. During the newborn period, the most important presenting features…
Introduction The incidence of congenital heart disease (CHD) is estimated at approximately 8 per 1000 live births, with up to 25–30% of CHD deemed critical congenital heart disease (CCHD). CCHD includes lesions that necessitate early interventions to avoid significant morbidity…
Introduction This chapter discusses the changing morphology of the developing fetal, neonatal, and postnatal pulmonary vascular bed. Studies have focused on structural and functional alterations in endothelial cells during postnatal development and have addressed the phenotypic heterogeneity of the vascular…
In utero, the ductus arteriosus provides a connection between the pulmonary artery and descending aorta through which deoxygenated blood returning to the right heart is diverted to the placenta for reoxygenation. Although essential to normal fetal physiology, it normally constricts,…