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PLAIN RADIOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

PLAIN RADIOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

PLAIN RADIOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

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2i-1. Corrected Transposition/ Ventricular inversion, L-TGA.  (Legend.)

A. PA chest radiograph shows cardiomegaly with increased pulmonary vascular markings secondary to a ventricular septal defect. The right pulmonary artery appears to have a high take-off because of an absent aortic shadow and is also quite prominent indicating ventricular inversion, L-TGA.

B. Postoperative aortic root injection shows levoposition of ascending aorta.

C. Another example of corrected transposition with levoposition of ascending aorta.  The prominence of the right hilum is due to the absence of the usual position of the ascending aorta.

Corrected transposition/ventricular inversion, L-TGA

Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries also termed ventricular inversion/ L-TGA, is characterized by atrioventicular discordance and ventriculoarterial discordance, hence the left atrium connects to the right ventricle which connects to the aorta. Congenitally corrected transposition accounts for 0.5% of congenital heart defects.

Embryology: Normally related cardiac connections arise from d-looping of the embryonic heart tube. L-looping of the embryonic tube results in the heart tube looping to the left while all other lateralization remains the same i.E. Atrial situs solitus.

Associated lesions: (1)Ventricular septal defect occurs in approximately 80% of lesions. This may be single or multiple. The majority of patients with ventricular septal defects have associated pulmonary stenosis(PS). (2) PS occurs in some 50% of patients and is usually subvalvular stenosis secondary to bulging of the malaligned ventricular septum. (3) Atrioventricular valve abnormalities occur in up to 90% of patients. This may represent Ebstein's anomaly with severe displacement of the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle or mild elongation or redundancy of the leaflets. Straddlingof the ventricular septum by either AV valve may also occur particularly in association with an inlet ventricular septal defect. (4) Conduction abnormalities including complete AV block occur in up to 30% of patients. First or second degree heart block in 20-30%. The prevalence of complete AV block increases with age. (5) Dextrocardia occurs in one quarter of patients with ventricular inversion/L-TGA. (6) Left superior vena cava to coronary sinus.

CXR: Characteristically, in patients with ventricular inversion and transposition of the great arteries, the upper left heart border is straightened as a result of leftward displacement of the aorta.

ECG: Typically, there is reversed septal depolarization with absent Q waves over the left chest in association with some degree of AV block.

Can Heart Disease Be Reversed?

It's a known fact that heart disease can be treated or prevented. Most causes of heart disease can be reversed. Most causes of heart disease are caused by something called atherosclerosis-- or plaque buildup within the arteries.

Brunilda Nazario, MD (Continued)

Heart failure is one type of heart disease, and it's typically the inability of the heart to pump the way that it should. And there's a lot of causes for heart failure. The first one, or the most common one, is a heart attack. Hypertension is another very common cause of congestive heart failure-- or heart failure. And then the third one that's very common is a faulty heart valve.

Brunilda Nazario, MD (Continued)

There are things that you can do. The first thing that we always recommend is know what numbers are. So know what your cholesterol is. Know what your blood pressure is.

Brunilda Nazario, MD (Continued)

If you have some condition that puts you at risk for heart disease, such as diabetes, take the steps that you need to take to control your blood sugar. That will reduce your risk of heart disease. And if you're overweight, whether you smoke, or whether you're inactive-- that's a good opportunity to work with your physician, your health care provider, to help you take the steps that you need to reduce your risks.

Brunilda Nazario, MD (Continued)

You may have the disease, but certainly there are things that you can do to treat-- even prevent-- it. And in some cases, you can reverse the condition as well.","publisher":"WebMD Video"} ]]>

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Brunilda Nazario, MD

It's a known fact that heart disease can be treated or prevented. Most causes of heart disease can be reversed. Most causes of heart disease are caused by something called atherosclerosis-- or plaque buildup within the arteries.

Brunilda Nazario, MD (Continued)

Heart failure is one type of heart disease, and it's typically the inability of the heart to pump the way that it should. And there's a lot of causes for heart failure. The first one, or the most common one, is a heart attack. Hypertension is another very common cause of congestive heart failure-- or heart failure. And then the third one that's very common is a faulty heart valve.

Brunilda Nazario, MD (Continued)

There are things that you can do. The first thing that we always recommend is know what numbers are. So know what your cholesterol is. Know what your blood pressure is.

Brunilda Nazario, MD (Continued)

If you have some condition that puts you at risk for heart disease, such as diabetes, take the steps that you need to take to control your blood sugar. That will reduce your risk of heart disease. And if you're overweight, whether you smoke, or whether you're inactive-- that's a good opportunity to work with your physician, your health care provider, to help you take the steps that you need to reduce your risks.

Brunilda Nazario, MD (Continued)

You may have the disease, but certainly there are things that you can do to treat-- even prevent-- it. And in some cases, you can reverse the condition as well.

'Serious Risk': Warning On Dodgy China Pills

The TGA flagged the Ying Da Wang tablets on December 11, 2023. Picture: Supplied

Australia's top medicines watchdog has raised the alarm over a sweep of dodgy imported tablets from China, warning consumers the products contain serious health hazards and have not been tested to Australian standards.

Tablets labelled 'Maximum Powerful', 'Bigger Longer More Time More Sperms' and 'Ying Da Wang' have been flagged for an undeclared substance that can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels, while capsules under the Li Da Daidaihua brand increase the risk of cardiac events and stroke.

The BAIWEI Maximum Powerful tablets, the Bigger Longer More Time More Sperms and Ying Da Wang tablets all contain the undeclared substance sildenafil, which poses a "serious risk" to health and should not be taken, the TGA said this week.

The BAIWEI Maximum Powerful contain undeclared sildenafil substance. Picture: Supplied

"Sildenafil may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels," the watchdog stated.

"People with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease are often prescribed nitrates.

"Sildenafil taken in combination with other medications can cause serious side effects."

The supply of the tablets containing undisclosed sildenafil is illegal and the TGA also warns the tablets have not been assessed for quality, safety or efficacy and the place of manufacture has not been approved by the Australian government.

The TGA and the ABF are now on the lookout for Bigger Longer More Time More Sperms tablets. Picture: Supplied

The agency advises consumers to immediately stop using the tablets and take any remaining tablets to a pharmacy for safe disposal.

The watchdog said it was working with the Australian Border Force to help stop future shipments of BAIWEI Maximum Powerful tablets, Bigger Longer

More Time More Sperms and Ying Da Wang from entering Australia.

"We will notify ABF to seize and destroy any of these products intercepted at the border."

The TGA advised consumers to be extremely cautious in purchasing medicines over the internet. Picture: Supplied

It has also raised the alarm over Li Da Daidaihua and after finding the tablets contain the undeclared substance sibutramine.

"Consumers are advised that sibutramine is a prescription-only substance in Australia," the TGA said.

Story continues

"Sibutramine was withdrawn from world markets in 2010 due to increased risk of cardiac events and stroke."

The Li Da Daidaihua tablets pose serious health risks and consumers should immediately stop using them. Picture: Supplied

Like the other flagged tablets, Li Da Daidaihua capsules have not been assessed for quality, safety or efficacy and the place of manufacture has not been approved by the Australian government.

"Stop using Li Da Daidaihua capsules and take any remaining tablets to your local pharmacy for safe disposal," the TGA states.

The ABF is also on the lookout for future shipments of Li Da Daidaihua.

"We advise consumers to exercise extreme caution when purchasing medicines from unknown overseas websites," the TGA said.

"Products purchased over the internet may contain undisclosed and potentially harmful ingredients."

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