Acyanotic heart defect  An acyanotic heart defect, is a class of congenital heart defects. In these, blood is shunted (flows) from the left side of the heart to the right side of the heart, most often due to a structural defect (hole) in the interventricular septum. People often retain normal levels of oxyhemoglobin saturation in systemic circulation. This term is outdated, because a person with an acyanotic heart defect may show cyanosis (turn blue due to insufficient oxygen in the blood). This condition can cause congestive heart failure. Left to right shunting heart defects include:  Others:  Acyanotic heart defects without shunting include:    ^NCLEX-PN Review 2nd Ed. (2006). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. .