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Cyanotic heart defects

Healthwise
By Robin Parks, MS

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Cyanotic heart defects are abnormal openings between the heart chambers that allow oxygen-poor blood from the right side of the heart to mix with oxygen-rich blood from the left side of the heart. When a large amount of oxygen-poor blood mixes with oxygen-rich blood, it causes a bluish tint (cyanosis) in the skin, lips, and nail beds.

Author:Robin Parks, MS
Medical Review:
Last Updated: 10/25/2007