Eisenmenger syndrome is a heart condition that can occur as a long-term side effect of an uncorrected heart defect at birth. According to the Adult Congenital Heart Association, the condition’s name comes from Dr. Victor Eisenmenger, who identified the condition.

There is a higher chance of death due to Eisenmenger syndrome. This condition and its treatments are covered in this article.

There is a structural abnormality in the heart at birth that can cause Eisenmenger syndrome. It is a hole in the heart.

Blood usually flows from the right side of your heart to the left. The VSD allows blood to flow from the left side of the heart to the right. This backward flow prevents the heart from working as effectively and can lead to pulmonary artery hypertension.

“A VSD is a type of hunt, which means that blood isn’t going where you expect it to. Other known causes of Eisenmenger syndrome. These include:”

A person can have a number of heart defects. When the defects are most likely to be treated, they are difficult to detect at an early age.

“Doctors don’t know what causes the heart defect that leads to Eisenmenger syndrome. Researchers haven’t found any responsible genes.”

Illustration of healthy heart and lungs compared with the effects of Eisenmenger syndrome

Who’s at risk of Eisenmenger syndrome?

Men and women experience Eisenmenger syndrome in equal numbers, and an estimated 25 percent to 50 percent of people with Down syndrome have Eisenmenger syndrome.

Can Eisenmenger syndrome be prevented?

Often, a heart defect can be most treatable at an early time of diagnosis. This allows medical professionals to repair the heart defect at a young age before it causes complications. Because of enhanced detection and repair, the occurrence of Eisenmenger syndrome decreased from 8 percent to 4 percent between the 1950s to the 2000s.

People can have symptoms from Eisenmenger syndrome. It is not unusual for your symptoms to be different from those of someone else.

The main symptom is usually related to cyanosis, a lack of oxygen in the body, and high pressure in the lungs. Some manifestations of this include:

Some people with Eisenmenger syndrome may have complications resulting from their condition. These include an increased chance of:

People with Eisenmenger syndrome can also experience organ damage if their organs do not get enough oxygen.

Doctors do not recommend that people with Eisenmenger syndrome get pregnant. Pregnancy places considerable demands on the heart and lungs. If a birthing parent has pulmonary artery hypertension and congestive heart disease because of Eisenmenger syndrome, they could face a high chance of death during pregnancy.

According to a 2016 review, deaths during pregnancies in people with Eisenmenger syndrome range from 30 to 50 percent, and can be as high as 65 percent in people who require cesarean delivery. The most common causes of death related to pregnancy and Eisenmenger syndrome are:

It’s possible to get pregnant without knowing you have Eisenmenger syndrome, or perhaps you truly desire to become pregnant. In either case, finding a multidisciplinary care team can help you manage your condition. You may want to consider including the following types of medical professionals:

  • An doctor.
  • pulmonologist is a doctor of medicine.
  • A doctor.
  • Neonatologist.

If you have Eisenmenger syndrome, it’s important to talk with your doctor about birth control options. Some birth control methods, such as pills that contain estrogen, may increase your chance of blood clots. So, be sure to avoid those.

There is no definitive test yet to diagnose Eisenmenger syndrome. Doctors may use multiple tools to see if a person has a condition. These tests include some.

If a doctor sees the higher pressure in the lungs, it may be a sign of a disease. The condition can be similar to other conditions.

It is important to know that once high pressure in the lungs starts to cause symptoms, it is hard to reverse. The only cure for Eisenmenger syndrome is a heart and lung transplant. Doctors reserve this intervention for the most severe cases.

Doctors focus on managing the condition and preventing it from getting worse.

Medications

Doctors may prescribe a variety of medication types to treat Eisenmenger syndrome. These include:

Researchers are also examining the benefits of medications that can dilate or widen blood vessels. An example is sildenafil, which healthcare professionals sell under the brand name Viagra.

Surgery

People with Eisenmenger syndrome can be candidates for heart-lung transplants.

Home management

Sometimes, doctors recommend using supplemental oxygen at home to reduce Eisenmenger syndrome effects. But oxygen therapy might not always help, as the shunt may still limit the amount of oxygen-rich blood that reaches the body’s tissues.

Lifestyle changes

Doctors advise people with Eisenmenger syndrome to avoid extreme physical exercise or exercise that puts significant challenges on the heart. It is important to avoid.

  • Dehydration.
  • Heavy alcohol consumption.
  • smoking
  • Traveling to high altitudes.
  • A sudden drop in blood pressure can be caused by using hot tub, saunas, or steam rooms.

Also, consider taking good care of your dental health, since you can have a higher chance of There is a disease called endocarditis. or heart valve infections. Some doctors may recommend taking antibiotics before going to the dentist to prevent infections.

Eisenmenger syndrome is associated with a shortened life expectancy. People with the condition may be more likely to die in their 20s and 30s than people without.

The most common causes of death for individuals with Eisenmenger syndrome are:

  • hemoptysis
  • There are problems during the pregnancy.
  • stroke
  • Ventricular failure is a serious condition.

But this doesn’t mean all people with Eisenmenger syndrome will die at a younger age. Some live longer lives. A 2017 study showed that taking medications to manage the condition had the biggest impact on life expectancy.

It is important to connect with a doctor regularly if you or a loved one has Eisenmenger syndrome. A doctor can discuss the latest therapies with you.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and taking the above steps can help you keep your heart functioning.