Friday Facts! Eisenmemger Syndrome

Welcome to Friday Facts! here on the Knowledge Safari blog. Each week we aim to shine the spotlight on various segments of special needs in order to raise awareness and provide information.

Today we focus on Eisenmemger syndrome.

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Eisenmenger syndrome develops in individuals with significant heart defects. It may also occur in individuals who have surgically-created shunts that divert blood from the left side of the heart to the right side. Either way, the extra blood on the right side of the heart creates increased blood flow to the lungs. Blood pressure increases in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension). This is called Eisenmenger syndrome.

Usually, Eisenmenger syndrome develops while individuals with heart defects are still children, but it may occur in adolescence or young adulthood. Infants born with a large hole between the ventricles of the heart (ventricular septal defect) or whose ductus arteriosus fails to close after birth (patent ductus arteriosus) are at high risk for developing Eisenmenger syndrome. The syndrome affects both males and females.

Symptoms
The symptoms of Eisenmenger syndrome are the same as those of pulmonary hypertension:
Shortness of breath, especially with activity
Extreme tiredness, lethargy
Fainting, dizzinessIndividuals with Eisenmenger syndrome usually have other symptoms, as well.

These are caused by complications of their heart defects and can lead to heart failure, bleeding and clotting issues, and gallbladder or kidney problems.