Glossary

Congenital heart defect with four anatomical deviations

Thigh artery, used for inserting a left heart catheter (qv cardiac catheter examination)

Ultrasound examination during pregnancy to diagnose for example, suspected heart defect

Fluorescence in-situ hybridisation

Relating to the unborn child

Unborn child from approximately the 9th week of pregnancy (according to the development of the organs)

Operation to separate deoxygenated from oxygenated blood in heart defects where just just one main chamber is present. A connection is created from the right atrium or main veins directly to the pulmonary artery 

Opening in the atrial septum that is present before birth, and usually closes after birth

Accidental cardiac murmur

A loop diuretic that is used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and oedema. Trade name: Lasix