Ventricular Septal Defects
What Are Ventricular
Septal Defects?
Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) are congenital
malformations that involve a large hole
in the septum, the wall that separates the
right and left sides of the heart. Blood
usually flows through the defect from the
left ventricle [link glossary/ventricle]
to the right ventricle. This causes extra
blood and a blood volume overload in the
pulmonary arteries and lungs, and in the
left atrium
and left ventricle.
VSD is the most common congenital heart
disorder in children — occurring in
approximately 30% of patients born with
heart defects. In many children, however,
the opening is very small and has no symptoms.
It probably will close on its own by age
18, making it much less common in adult
patients with congenital heart disease,
affecting approximately 10%. About 10 percent
of people with VSD develop Eisenmenger’s
Syndrome.
A heart murmur — a "swishing"
sound of blood flow heart by a stethoscope
— may be noticed. If a VSD is suspected,
the following diagnostic tests may be performed:
Treatment Options
Most VSDs don't need treatment. But if the
opening is large, the hole may need to be
closed in the first few years after birth.
This is done with a patch that eventually
is covered with heart tissue and becomes
a permanent part of the heart. Penn Cardiac
Care surgeons repair many VSDs every year.
Patients who have had this procedure do
well.
Follow-up Care
Patients with VSDs should be monitored at
regular medical checkups by experienced
cardiologists. In some cases medications
may be prescribed to help the heart pump
better and to help control blood pressure.
Rarely, pulmonary
hypertension develops and needs medical
management.
Patients with ventricular septal defects
are at risk for bacterial endocarditis,
an infection of the heart’s valves
or inner lining (endocardium.) Before having
certain dental or surgical procedures performed,
it may be necessary to take preventive antibiotics.
Need an appointment? Request one online 24
hours a day, 7 days a week; or call 800-789-PENN (7366) to speak to a
referral counselor.
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