Video - Acyanotic congenital heart defects: Pathology review

Acyanotic congenital heart defects (ACHDs) are structural abnormalities of the heart that prevent or impair the flow of blood through the heart. Heart defects in ACHDs result in left-to-right shunts and do not normally cause cyanosis, meaning they do not interfere with the amount of oxygen or blood that reaches the tissue. ACHDs may be caused by genetic defects like trisomies, maternal infections such as rubella, maternal alcohol use, and certain drugs during pregnancy.

Most ACHDs are diagnosed during infancy or childhood because they cause problems with breathing, feeding, and growth. Some children with ACHDs may not have any symptoms and their condition is only discovered during a routine physical examination.