Patients with congenital heart disease are categorized based on the presence or absence of __________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Patients with congenital heart disease are usually categorized based on the presence or absence of cyanosis, which indicates decreased oxygen saturation in the blood. Cyanosis can be central (related to heart defects that allow blood to flow from the right to left side of the heart or that reduce pulmonary blood flow) or peripheral (related to lung disease or abnormal hemoglobin). Aortic coarctation, floppy mitral valve, and cardiac contour abnormalities are specific types of cardiac defects that can occur in patients with congenital heart disease, but they are not used to categorize patients with this condition.

Patients with Congenital Heart Disease Are Categorized Based on the Presence