God alone is Sovereign

1 Chronicles 29:11

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.

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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Anna's Heart

I found a website called www.heartbabyhome.com and they had a picture and explanation of Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome that I thought I would share with you to help better understand Anna Grace's special heart.

Now, that being said this picture and explination is not entirely accurate as Anna Grace's condition is so unique - in addition to what is listed here she has Transposition of the Great Arteries which means her Aorta and Pulmonary Artery are flip-flopped and she has aortic co-artation which means that her aorta is so narrow they had to splice it and graft a goretex type material on it to allow blood flow through her aorta. In addition, the valve leading to her aorta was not useable so blood was re-routed through her pulmonary artery and then a y-connection was made off her pulmonary artery to her aorta. Also, she doesn't have Patent Foreman Ovale, she has an atrial septal defect instead which just means the hole she has is bigger than a patent forman ovale. Complicated, I know.

But, this was the best picture and explination I could find to help you understand a little bit of what her heart looks like. I hope you find this helpful.




Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome (HRHS): the right side of the heart is underdeveloped–including the right ventricle, the pulmonary artery (which carries oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs), and the valves controling the bloodflow of the right ventrical (tricuspid valve, pulmonary valve). These valves may be narrowed (stenosis) or missing (atresia). Excess pressure in the heart leads to an patent foramen ovale (PFO) and a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

Hypoplastic Right Ventricle (RV) [hypo=under, plasia=formation or development, ventricles=lower chambers of the heart] The right ventricle is underdeveloped. It is too small. This means the heart will have to work harder and won’t last as long. Sometimes the valves entering or leaving the right ventricle are also too small or fused shut. (Tricuspid Valve, Pulmonary Valve).

Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) [patent=open, ductus=duct, arteriosus=artery] – an extra passageway between the pulmonary artery (carrying oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs) and the aorta (carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body). The ductus arteriosus is open in a fetus. This allows extra bloodflow in the forming baby while it’s getting oxygen from Mom instead of its own lungs. The PDA normally closes around 10 days after birth.
Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) [patent=open, foramen=opening] – a hole between the two top chambers of the heart that is covered by a flap. A cough, sneeze, or strain can cause this flap to open-–letting blood flow where it shouldn’t.
hypoplastic Pulmonary Artery (PA) [hypo=under, plasia=formation or development] the main vessel carrying oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs is underdeveloped and too narrow.
Pulmonary Valve Atresia (a) [pulmonary=having to do with the lungs, atresia=without openings] a complete blockage of the pulmonary artery (which carries blood from the heart to the lungs) caused by a missing or fused-shut pulmonary valve.
(overriding) Tricuspid Valve Stenosis (t) [overriding=reaching too far, stenosis=narrowing of a passage ]– The valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle is too narrow (stenosis). It also pushes the blood passed the right ventricle and into the left ventricle (overriding) because the right ventricle is too small.
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) [septum=wall between the chambers of the heart, ventricles=lower chambers of the heart] – holes in the inner walls of the heart allowing extra blood flow between the two lower chambers of the heart (ventricles). This causes the oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood to mix before leaving the heart.

3 comments:

Jennifer said...

This is very simple-- or as simple as something so complex can get! The pictures still totally confuse me, but I could actually follow the written explaination.
You know, I am almost in tears praising God for what a MIRACLE Anna Grace is. He is just plain showing off through her. :) Through you too. Love your guts!! Jenn

Samuels hjertemamma said...

Hi!

I borrowd this picture to illustrate in my blog too. Thanks :-) Im glad to see that Anna Grace is doing fine :-)

HeartBabyHome said...

leave me a message with all of her heart defects and I'll draw you a heart just for Anna, if you'd like :)
-Nanette
http://www.heartbabyhome.com/contact/