Cardiac Embryology: Understanding Congenital Heart Disease for the Noncardiac Anesthesiologist

Abstract

Understanding cardiac embryology gives the pediatric anes thesiologist a better appreciation of the anatomy and disor dered physiology of a particular defect, and ultimately is the basis of rational management decisions during the course of anesthesia and perioperative care. In addition, such an un derstanding is helpful in predicting or identifying associated malformations or syndromes that are of critical importance for the cardiac and noncardiac anesthesiologist.