Eisenmenger syndrome

The term Eisenmenger syndrome is used to describe all congenital heart defects in which there is such a pronounced primary left-right shunt that an increase in pulmonary resistance with subsequent shunt reversal and clear cyanosis develops or can develop ( Eisenmenger reaction ). Such a heart defect is usually characterized by the presence of a ventricular septal defect with a riding aorta , enlargement of the right ventricle , pulmonary hypertension and right-left shunt.

The most common causes of Eisenmenger syndrome are a large ventricular septal defect, a ductus arteriosus apertus, and an atrial septal defect.

Findings

During auscultation , a systolic ( spindle-shaped in phonocardiography ) sound can be heard over the base of the heart to the left of the sternum.

treatment

Treatment consists of surgical correction of the heart defect (s) present as early as possible . After the Eisenmenger reaction occurs in people with a heart defect from the group of Eisenmenger syndrome, surgical correction of the malformation is no longer possible. This is the case because despite the closure of the shunt, the overpressure remains in the right ventricle. Soon after the onset of the Eisenmenger reaction, this results in right heart decompensation and the patient's early death. The only therapeutic agent that remains is the combined heart-lung transplant . As an intervention, this involves considerable risks.

history

The name Eisenmenger syndrome was introduced to the medical community in 1958 by the English cardiologist Paul Hamilton Wood (1907–1962). The syndrome is named after the first person to describe the Eisenmenger reaction, Victor Eisenmenger .

literature

Helmut Klepzig: Heart and Vascular Diseases. Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart 1972, ISBN 3-13-436703-3 .
Werner Strik: Diseases of the heart and the circulatory system and their treatment. Herder-Verlag, Freiburg / Basel / Vienna 1974, ISBN 3-451-16873-1 .

Individual evidence

^ Klaus Holldack, Klaus Gahl: Auscultation and percussion. Inspection and palpation. Thieme, Stuttgart 1955; 10th, revised edition ibid 1986, ISBN 3-13-352410-0 , pp. 190 f.
^ Klaus Holldack, Klaus Gahl: Auscultation and percussion. Inspection and palpation. Thieme, Stuttgart 1955; 10th, revised edition ibid 1986, ISBN 3-13-352410-0 , p. 196 f.

[1] Klaus Holldack, Klaus Gahl: Auscultation and percussion. Inspection and palpation. Thieme, Stuttgart 1955; 10th, revised edition ibid 1986, ISBN 3-13-352410-0 , pp. 190 f.

[2] Klaus Holldack, Klaus Gahl: Auscultation and percussion. Inspection and palpation. Thieme, Stuttgart 1955; 10th, revised edition ibid 1986, ISBN 3-13-352410-0 , p. 196 f.