Does Right to Left Shunting Occur?

A right-to-left shunt occurs when: there is an opening or passage between the atria, ventricles, and/or great vessels; and, right heart pressure is higher than left heart pressure and/or the shunt has a one-way valvular opening.

Does blood shunt right-to-left?

A shunt is an abnormal communication between the right and left sides of the heart or between the systemic and pulmonary vessels, allowing blood to flow directly from one circulatory system to the other. A right-to-left shunt allows deoxygenated systemic venous blood to bypass the lungs and return to the body.

Is left to right shunting normal?

Left-to-right shunts represent a significant portion of congenital heart disease. Such lesions are common in isolation, but are frequently seen in conjunction with other, often more complex, congenital heart disease.