[Diagnosis of congenital heart defects today. Part 2: Aortic stenosis, aortic isthmus stenosis, tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of great vessels].

In this second part of our review, the diagnosis of the following congenital heart disease is discussed: aortic stenosis, aortic isthmus stenosis (coarctation of the aorta), Fallot's tetralogy and transposition of the great vessels. Aortic stenosis and coarctation of the aorta each represents a spectrum of cardiac diseases of varying severity. Cases that are clinical less severe may escape diagnosis until late childhood or adolescence. Fallot's tetralogy and transposition of the great vessels in contrast, lead to cyanosis, and are therefore usually diagnosed already in the young infant. In all four conditions, the suspected diagnosis can be established on the basis of clinical or auscultatory findings. Further diagnostic clarification is achieved with the aid of non-invasive procedures such as CT scan, chest X-ray, echocardiography and, where indicated, NMR imaging. Additional cardiac catheterization is required only in the case of the tetralogy of Fallot.