Congenital Cardiac Malformations in Adult and Foetal Cadavers

Abstract

Background: Congenital cardiac malformations are a significant subset of developmental abnormalities, affecting approximately 6-8 per 1,000 live births and 2% of stillbirths. These malformations account for nearly one-quarter of all developmental anomalies, yet the etiology remains unknown in over 90% of cases. Hereditary factors and environmental conditions, such as high altitude and seasonal variations, have been implicated. The
prevalence and types of congenital cardiac malformations in North India are not welldocumented, prompting this study to investigate these aspects in adult and fetal cadavers at Bhagalpur.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Bhagalpur, using 25 adult and 45 fetal cadaver hearts, preserved in 10% formaldehyde solution. The hearts were dissected using a standardized method, examining and classifying malformations according to abnormalities in position, developmental progress, and visceral arches. Morphological features were assessed with tools including a dissection kit, magnifying lens, torch, probe, and measuring tape.
Results: Out of 70 cases studied, 14 (20%) displayed congenital cardiac malformations, with a higher incidence in adults (24%) than in fetuses (17.78%). A total of 25 anomalies were identified among the 14 cases, with 10 types of anomalies observed. The most common malformation was atrial septal defect, followed by anomalous positions of the great arteries  and cor biloculare. Coexistent external anomalies were found in 3 of the 14 cases (21.43%), affecting the face and multiple systems.
Conclusion: The incidence of congenital cardiac malformations in Bhagalpur is consistent with findings from other regions of India and internationally. Atrial septal defect is the most prevalent malformation in this population, aligning with patterns observed in other Indian studies but differing from international reports.