Acyanotic heart defect

An acyanotic heart defect, is a class of congenital heart defects. In these, blood is shunted (flows) from the left side of the heart to the right side of the heart, most often due to a structural defect (hole) in the interventricular septum. People often retain normal levels of oxyhemoglobin saturation in systemic circulation. This term is outdated, because a person with an acyanotic heart defect may show cyanosis (turn blue due to insufficient oxygen in the blood). Presentation is the following: Shortness of breath Congested cough Diaphoresis Fatigue Frequent respiratory infections Machine-like heart murmur Tachycardia Tachypnea Respiratory distress Mild cyanosis (in right sided heart failure) Poor growth and development (from increased energy spent on breathing) This condition can cause congestive heart failure.