Eisenmenger Syndrome
Definition
Reversal of a congenital shunt from left-to-right to right-to-left secondary to severe pulmonary hypertension
Etiology
Any congenital malformation that was formerly a left-to-right shunt (e.g., atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus)
Electrocardiogram
- Right atrial enlargement
- Right ventricular hypertrophy
Chest X-ray
- Cardiomegalv (right atrial enlargement, right ventricular hypertrophy)
Treatment
- Surgical repair is contraindicated
- Heart-lung transplant
Important to Note
Eisenmenger's complex is defined as a cyanotic heart defect consisting of ventricular septal defect, dextroposition of the aorta, pulmonary hypertension, and right ventricular hypertrophy