Final answer:
Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that often results in a left to right shunt, which includes a combination of pulmonary stenosis, overriding aorta, ventricular septal defect, and right ventricular hypertrophy. It causes oxygen-poor blood to mix with oxygen-rich blood, leading to symptoms like cyanosis and heart murmurs. Treatment typically involves surgical repair.
Step-by-step explanation:
A common congenital defect that often results in a left to right shunt is known as Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition occurs when there is a defect in the interventricular septum caused by a blockage of the pulmonary trunk, typically at the pulmonary semilunar valve. This allows oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle to flow into the left ventricle, mixing with oxygen-rich blood. Signs of Tetralogy of Fallot include heart murmurs, cyanosis, and difficulty in feeding or development in children.
The four components of Tetralogy of Fallot are pulmonary infundibular stenosis, overriding aorta, ventricular septal defect, and right ventricular hypertrophy. Other heart defects may accompany this condition, and it is typically confirmed by echocardiography imaging. Treatment generally involves surgical repair, which may include the use of stents, valve replacement, and patches to correct the septal defect.