Asplenia with cardiovascular anomalies
Asplenia with cardiovascular anomalies is a rare medical condition characterized by the absence of a spleen (asplenia) in conjunction with various cardiovascular defects. This condition is often associated with a group of birth defects known as heterotaxy syndrome.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Asplenia refers to the absence of normal spleen function and is associated with some serious health risks. The spleen plays a multifaceted role in the body, including the filtration of blood and the production of antibodies and lymphocytes. Without a functioning spleen, the body is more susceptible to infections.
In addition to asplenia, individuals with this condition also have cardiovascular anomalies. These can range from minor defects that cause no symptoms to severe malformations that require immediate medical intervention. Common cardiovascular anomalies associated with this condition include congenital heart defects, dextrocardia (heart located on the right side of the chest), and double outlet right ventricle (both the aorta and pulmonary artery are connected to the right ventricle).
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The symptoms of asplenia with cardiovascular anomalies can vary greatly depending on the specific cardiovascular defects present. Some individuals may have no symptoms, while others may experience cyanosis (bluish coloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen), fatigue, shortness of breath, and an increased susceptibility to infections.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of asplenia with cardiovascular anomalies typically involves a combination of physical examination, medical history, and imaging tests. Echocardiography is often used to identify the specific cardiovascular anomalies. Blood tests may also be used to confirm the absence of spleen function.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for asplenia with cardiovascular anomalies is focused on managing the individual's symptoms and preventing complications. This may involve surgeries to correct the cardiovascular defects, antibiotics to prevent infections, and vaccinations to boost the immune system.
See also[edit | edit source]
NIH genetic and rare disease info[edit source]
Asplenia with cardiovascular anomalies is a rare disease.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD