Eisenmenger syndrome is a disorder that affects blood flow from the heart to the lungs. It is a disease that affects people with chronic and untreated heart defects.
Some of the congenital heart diseases that can cause Eisenmenger syndrome are Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AVSD), Atrial Septal Defect, Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), Truncus Arteriosus, and Aortopulmonary Window
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of Eisenmenger syndrome may include, gray or bluish discoloration of the skin (cyanosis), numbness in fingers and toes, tiredness, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, and chest pain.
Causes
In Eisenmenger syndrome, associated heart defects cause blood to circulate abnormally in the lungs and heart; this causes the blood vessels in the lungs to harden and narrow, consequently increasing the pressure in the pulmonary arteries. This causes irreparable damage to the blood vessels in the lungs.
Risk factors
A family history of heart defects increases a baby's risk of developing Eisenmenger syndrome.
Diagnosis and treatment
To diagnose Eisenmenger syndrome, the medical history will be analyzed and multiple tests will be required and administered:
- Blood test: Used to check blood cell counts, which are often high in a person with Eisenmenger syndrome.
- Electrocardiogram: Records the electrical activity of the heart and helps diagnose heart defects.
- Chest X-ray: Used to detect an enlargement in the pulmonary artery and heart.
- Cardiac catheterization: Doctors use this test to measure blood pressure in blood vessels or in the chambers of the heart.
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to control the condition and its symptoms. Eisenmenger syndrome has no cure, but some medications can help improve the quality of life for the patient and prevent serious complications. Some treatments include drugs to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, heart and lung transplantation (this measure is reserved for patients with severe symptoms), and drawing blood from people with symptoms (phlebotomy) to reduce the number of red blood cells.
Bibliography
Baffa, J. M. (2018, noviembre). SÃndrome de Eisenmenger. msdmanuals.https://www.msdmanuals.com/es-mx/professional/pediatr%C3%ADa/anomal%C3%ADas-cardiovasculares-cong%C3%A9nitas/s%C3%ADndome-de-eisenmenger
SÃndrome de Eisenmenger. (2020, 5 diciembre). https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/diseases-conditions/eisenmenger-syndromediagnosis-treatment/drc-20350584.
SÃndrome de Eisenmenger. (2020). MedlinePlus.