Eisenmenger Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

Eisenmenger Syndrome can be described as a group of medical complications that occur when the hole in the patient's heart gets unrecognized or unrepaired for a longer period of time. The nature of the disease in almost all of the cases is congenital. This means either developed by genetics or developed during pregnancy.

The hole present in the heart causes an unbalanced flow of blood in its chambers and to the lungs, resulting in creating various clinical complications for your heart, blood vessels, lungs, etc.

Summary: Eisenmenger Syndrome is a medical illness that is developed when there is a hole in your heart for a long period of time.

In most cases, the hole in the fetus is detected by your medical expert during pregnancy. If not, the mention below sings will guide you for the symptoms of Eisenmenger Syndrome:

• Large, rounded fingernails or toenails (clubbing)
• Shortness of breath
• Skipped or racing heartbeats (palpitations)
• Headaches
• Bluish or greyish skin colour (cyanosis)
• Chest pain or tightness
• Easily tiring
• Dizziness or fainting
• Numbness or tingling in fingers or toes
• Coughing up blood

Summary: Signs of Eisenmenger Syndrome can be detected in both the fetal and infancy stages of the patient.

Typically the root cause of Eisenmenger Syndrome is congenital. It states that it develops in a person during its fetal or neonatal period. However, there are many forms of holes that can develop in your heart. Each type of hole has a different reason to develop. Here are some of the reasons that are behind in the development of Eisenmenger Syndrome:

• Atrioventricular canal defect: This form of heart hole develops between the meeting point of upper chambers (atria) and lower chambers (ventricles).
• Atrial septal defect (ASD): This type of hole is more of a shunt in the tissues of the wall that divides the right and left sides of your heart's upper chambers (atria).
• Patent ductus arteriosus: The patent ductus arteriosus is a kind of arteriosclerosis in which an opening arises between the pulmonary artery and the aorta. An irregular opening in the arterial wall that separates unfiltered blood from filtered blood, in layman's terms.
• Ventricular septal defect: Frequently experienced, it is a common type of heart defect in the heart. This defect develops a hole in the tissue wall that separates ventricles which are at the right and left sides of the heart's main pumping chambers.

Summary: Eisenmenger Syndrome is congenital in nature, however, there are different forms of shuts that develop in the heart that have the different or same impact on an individual.

Diagnosis of every illness starts with the general assignment of symptoms, collecting medical and family history. Post general examination, your doctor will suggest certain tests to confirm the presence of Eisenmenger Syndrome. Most of these tests are visual in nature. Here is the list of tests that are used to detect Eisenmenger Syndrome:

• X-ray
• ECG
• Echocardiogram
• CT scan
• Cardiac catheterization
• MRI
• A blood test that determines blood count, kidney and liver functioning

Key points that your doctor diagnoses from the test:

• High blood count
• Heart and pulmonary artery enlargement
• Structure and blood flow in the heart and lungs
• Blood pressure in the different parts of the heart

Summary: Diagnosis of Eisenmenger Syndrome mostly includes screening tests that will help the medical professional to determine the overall structure and functioning of the heart and the lungs.

Medical conditions like Eisenmenger Syndrome are not possible to prevent in individuals. It is congenital in occurrence, making it irreversible in individuals. But you can prevent it by carefully analyzing the family history before making any decisions. Also, abortion is advised to the mothers under complicated circumstances.

Summary: Conditions that develop by birth are often irreversible in nature, making them difficult to prevent. So it's important to consider one’s medical background before family planning.

Eisenmenger Syndrome is not a medical condition that can be taken lightly! It is important to seek medical aid as soon as one is diagnosed or shows symptoms associated with the condition. From fetal stage to adulthood it is important to consult your doctor on an urgent basis.

Summary: Consult your doctor on an urgent basis in case the patient shows one or more symptoms identical to Eisenmenger Syndrome.

The nature of damage developed under the Eisenmenger Syndrome cannot be repaired. However, it can be managed with the help of therapeutics. In conclusion, Eisenmenger Syndrome cannot go away on its own, and one should not avoid it if one experiences one or more signs connected to the disease.

Summary: No, Eisenmenger Syndrome cannot go away on its own as the damage in the cardiovascular tissues cannot be repaired on its own.

Medical scientists are working towards a permanent cure for such medical disorders. So far there is no cure for diseases like Eisenmenger Syndrome. The focus of the treatment will be to control and manage the damage caused by the heart’s hole. Here are some of the things that can be done in order to sustain the life of the Eisenmenger Syndrome patient:

• Medications: Focusing on the repercussions, your doctor will design a course of therapeutics that will help you control the irregularity of your heart. Some of the key problems that medication will be taking care of are:
  • Irregular heartbeat.
  • Low iron levels.
  • Blood thickening or clotting.
  • Blood vessels relaxants.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Prevention from external bacterial formations.
• Surgery and phlebotomy: Both of the procedures are not recommended unless the patient is in a very critical situation. Phlebotomy can still be used in case the person finds it hard to concentrate or have severe headaches. But open-heart surgeries are very life-threatening and the success rates are very slim.

Other things that will be included in your treatment plan are regular checkups with your cardiologist, tests, monitoring the patient’s progress on a daily basis.

Summary: Treatment of Eisenmenger Syndrome includes medications and other procedures to maintain health and manage the damage caused by the irreversible heart damage.

It is important to monitor your diet as what you eat will create an impact on your heart. Here are some of the food suggestions that you can pick after consulting your doctor:

• Lime juice
• Vegetable oil
• Soft margarine low in saturated fat and trans-fatty acid
• Whole-grain foods
• Low-fat milk
• Fish with

During Eisenmenger Syndrome not only it is important what to ear, but how to eat also makes a lot of difference. Eat a small and frequent portion of meals. Maintaining a healthy form of metabolism.

Summary: Eating a healthy and proportionate meal is very important in the case of Eisenmenger Syndrome. Consult your medical professional for accurate diet charts.

While food helps us to sustain our lives, some food and habits can put lives in danger. Here is the list of items that can cause pressure on your heart and worsen the health under Eisenmenger Syndrome:

• Processed meat
• Processed foods and snacks
• High sugar, salt, and protein
• Fried or fast foods
• Energy drinks
• Caffeine
• Saturated fat
• Tras fat
• Animal fat

Also, do not overeat or have bigger portions of the meals. It is difficult for the body to digest the food resulting in poor health and nutrition.

Summary: Foods that are high in fats, sugar, protein, salt, and artificial products should be avoided in case of Eisenmenger Syndrome.

The side effects of treatment suggested in the case of Eisenmenger Syndrome may depend on the type of medication your doctor prescribed you alongside the treatment that your doctor is using to treat the medical condition.

Summary: No specific side effects associated with Eisenmenger Syndrome treatment. Contact your doctor, in case of any recurring reactions.

Eisenmenger Syndrome is not a medical condition that can wait as it gets worse with time. It is important to seek medical aid as soon as one is diagnosed or shows symptoms associated with the condition. From fetal stage to adulthood it is important to consult your doctor on an urgent basis.

Summary: Consult your doctor on an urgent basis in case the patient shows one or more symptoms identical to Eisenmenger Syndrome.

There is no recovery period for congenital diseases like Eisenmenger Syndrome. This is because the nature of the disease is irreversible in nature which doesn't have any sure so far.

Summary: There is no recovery period for Eisenmenger Syndrome as it is a congenital disorder that cannot be cured.

The estimated cost of the treatment plan for Eisenmenger Syndrome every year a be approximately around 5-7 lakhs which includes consultations, therapies, surgery, and supporting medication that helps to eliminate the discomfort associated with the disease.Summary - Medical consultation can range from INR 1000 to INR 2000 per hour. Medication or surgery separate can cost you around 5 to 7 lakhs which can fluctuate under external circumstances.

It is recommended to have a very low level of physical exercise for patients with Eisenmenger Syndrome. Also do not indulge in anything extensive that can put pressure on your heart. Consult your doctor to have better clarity on physical activity during Eisenmenger Syndrome.

Summary: It is advised not to indulge in any form of a moderate or extensive form of physical activity if you are suffering from Eisenmenger Syndrome.

Medication that is prescribed under Eisenmenger Syndrome is usually concentrated on controlling and managing the damage caused by the heart hole. Focusing on the repercussions, your doctor will design a course of therapeutics that will help you control the irregularity of your heart. Some of them may include:

• Antibiotics
• Treprostinil
• Epoprostenol
• Endothelin antagonists
• Nitric oxide enhancers
• Iron supplements
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen sodium
• Bosentan
• Sildenafil
• Tadalafil

Summary: Medication that aids the overall functioning of the heart is recommended in the case of Eisenmenger Syndrome. Also, iron supplements and antibiotics are added to the prescription to increase the defense mechanisms of the body against foreign pathogens.

The treatment of Eisenmenger Syndrome is not permanent. In cases of chronic heart condition, one may get relapse if the treatment is postponed or eliminated at any point in time in your life. It is important for the patient to strictly follow the treatment plan as congenital disorders are hard to manage.

Summary: Treatment of inherited conditions like Eisenmenger Syndrome is not possible, there is no 100% recovery for this. But the treatment plan advised under these conditions may help you get relief from the discomfort.

Inborn disorders like Eisenmenger Syndrome do not have any form of treatment that can cure the disease. So there is no alternative that can be used in order to control the surface signs of the disease.

Summary: There is no alternative present at the moment for medical conditions like Eisenmenger Syndrome as it is irreversible in nature. Also, a treatment focusing on the symptoms does not have any specific alternative.

People who are suffering from Eisenmenger Syndrome or heart hole are eligible for the treatment. Also, people with the same set of symptoms mentioned above can consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment plans.

People who are not suffering from Eisenmenger Syndrome or heart hole are not eligible for the treatment. Also, people with the different sets of symptoms mentioned above can consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment plans.

Since there is no cure for a clinical illness like Eisenmenger Syndrome, the treatment will go as long as the person survives. There are no post-treatment guidelines that can be followed by the patient for prevention or recovery. However, there are certain lifestyle changes one can adapt to maintain the health and progress of treatment:

• Stay hydrate
• Avoid high altitude places
• Maintain normal blood pressure
• Get routine checkups and testings
• Do not take any medication or practice any physical activity without the doctor’s consent
• Eliminate the consumption of alcohol, smoke, passive smoking, or use unprescribed drugs
• Avoid getting in contact with infections or diseases

Summary: There are no specific post-treatment guidelines that need to be followed by the patient who is suffering from Eisenmenger Syndrome. But certain precautions can be included in your life to maintain your physical health.

Summary: Eisenmenger Syndrome is a medical complication that occurs when the hole in the patient's heart gets unrecognized or unrepaired for a long duration. It is a congenital disorder. This means either developed by genetics or developed during pregnancy. There is no treatment plan that can permanently cure the illness. A treatment plan will be focusing on the management of the damage caused by the heart hole.