Adult Echocardiography Practice Exam

Which congenital abnormality is the most common cyanotic lesion in adults?

1. patent ductus arteriosus

2. tetralogy of fallot

3. ebstein's anomaly

4. valvular pulmonic stenosis

The correct answer is: tetralogy of fallot

Tetralogy of Fallot is recognized as the most common cyanotic congenital heart defect that persists into adulthood. This condition is characterized by a combination of four heart defects: ventricular septal defect (VSD), pulmonary stenosis, right ventricular hypertrophy, and an aorta that straddles the left and right ventricles. As individuals with Tetralogy of Fallot reach adulthood, the severity of symptoms can vary widely. Some may experience significant cyanosis and related complications due to the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, which underscores the persistence of cyanotic features throughout life. Patients often require surgical intervention during childhood, but many survive into adulthood, sometimes without additional surgery but often with ongoing medical management. The other options, while they are congenital heart conditions, do not match the prevalence of cyanotic lesions in adults as Tetralogy of Fallot does. For instance, patent ductus arteriosus typically leads to a left-to-right shunt rather than cyanosis, and while Ebstein's anomaly and valvular pulmonic stenosis can also cause complications, they are not classified as cyanotic lesions as commonly as Tetralogy of Fallot. Thus, Tetralogy of Fallot stands out as the most prevalent cyan