Intermediate
Technical
IVT
Cyanotic Heart Disease
Pronunciation: sy-ah-NOT-ik
A category of congenital heart defects that result in decreased oxygen levels in the blood, causing bluish discoloration.
Full Definition
Cyanotic heart disease refers to congenital heart defects that cause mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, resulting in reduced oxygen saturation and characteristic blue discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes. These conditions typically involve abnormal blood flow patterns or structural anomalies that prevent proper oxygenation. Editors should distinguish this from acyanotic heart disease and ensure proper capitalization in formal medical writing.
Usage
Usage note: Capitalize when referring to the specific disease category; lowercase when used descriptively.
In Context
- "The infant presented with signs of cyanotic heart disease including clubbing and poor feeding." — clinical assessment
- "Surgical intervention for cyanotic heart disease aims to improve oxygen saturation levels." — treatment plan
Also known as
cyanotic congenital heart disease
Contrasted with
acyanotic heart disease
Don't confuse with
central cyanosis
peripheral cyanosis