Pattern of congenital heart diseases

Current understanding of congenital heart disease (CHD) prevalence includes established patterns of common defects like atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defect. However, regional variations in diagnostic methods and patient demographics remain underexplored. Prior research has shown that ASD and VSD are frequently diagnosed, but precise frequencies vary by geographic and clinical context. No prior work had resolved whether specific defects like tetralogy of Fallot consistently rank as the most common cyanotic CHD. This gap motivated a study to assess CHD types using echocardiography as the primary diagnostic tool. The uncertainty in diagnostic consistency across populations drove the need for a focused observational study. Regional data on CHD distribution is sparse, making this work valuable for comparative analysis. The lack of recent large-scale data from this region highlights the importance of this study. This paper contributes to the broader field of pediatric cardiology by offering updated frequency data.

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of various congenital heart diseases diagnosed via echocardiography in a specific patient cohort. The researchers focused on identifying the most common types of CHD within a defined time frame. They sought to compare their findings with existing literature to assess regional consistency. The motivation for this study stemmed from the need to update diagnostic frequency data in this population. By analyzing a large sample size, they aimed to provide a clearer picture of CHD prevalence. The study also aimed to distinguish between cyanotic and acyanotic defects to better understand clinical implications. The researchers wanted to confirm whether ASD remains the most common acyanotic defect and tetralogy of Fallot the most common cyanotic defect. This information could guide diagnostic and treatment strategies in clinical settings.

The study employed a prospective observational design to collect data on congenital heart diseases. Echocardiography was the primary diagnostic tool used to identify CHD in patients. A total of 2050 patients were evaluated over a four-year period from January 2002 to December 2005. Each patient underwent a comprehensive evaluation including chest radiography, electrocardiography, and echocardiography. Cardiologists performed the assessments to ensure diagnostic accuracy. The study focused on categorizing CHD types and calculating their frequencies. Data collection included demographic information such as gender distribution. The researchers compared their findings with previously published studies to assess consistency. This approach allowed them to track trends in CHD prevalence over time.

The study found that atrial septal defect (ASD) was the most common acyanotic CHD, diagnosed in 374 patients (34.92%). Ventricular septal defect (VSD) followed closely with 318 cases (29.69%). Tetralogy of Fallot was the most common cyanotic CHD, identified in 162 patients (15.13%). Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) accounted for 83 cases (7.75%). Pulmonary stenosis was diagnosed in 58 patients (5.42%). Transposition of the great vessels (TGA) occurred in 16 patients (1.49%). Ebstein anomaly was rare, with only 5 cases (0.4%). Coarctation of the aorta was diagnosed in 1 patient (0.09%). These findings suggest a consistent pattern of CHD distribution.

The authors suggest that the distribution of CHD types in this study is similar to findings from other studies. They propose that atrial septal defect remains the most common acyanotic CHD and tetralogy of Fallot the most common cyanotic CHD in this population. The findings support the use of echocardiography as a reliable diagnostic method for CHD. The gender distribution of CHD was not significantly skewed, with males accounting for 52.38% of cases. The study highlights the importance of continued monitoring of CHD prevalence. The consistency in CHD types across regions suggests that these findings may be broadly applicable. The authors suggest that future research should focus on long-term outcomes of these CHD types. The study contributes to the understanding of CHD patterns in clinical practice.