Ventricular Septal Defect

HOLE IN THE HEART

Blood moves from the body to the right atrium then to the right ventricle, passes through the lungs where blood is oxygenated and moves to the left atrium and pumped around the body via the left ventricle.

THE HEART

NORMAL/DEFECT HEART

• The ventricular septal defect is a defect in the ventricular septum, the wall dividing the left and right ventricles of the heart.

• It is where there are one or more holes, large or small, in any part of this septum - The membranous or muscular part or the inlet and outlet.

• Ventricular septal defect is one of the most common congenital (present from birth) heart defects.

• It accounts for up to 40% of all congenital cardiac malformations and it may occur by itself or with other congenital diseases.

WHAT IS THE DEFECT

• The position of the VSD between the ventricles varies. Repair usually is needed in the first 3 to 6 months.

• It is closed with a patch made from artificial material (Dacron).

• If it isn’t repaired, even small defects, damage may occur to one of the heart valves.

• A = Doubly committed subarterial ventricular septal defect; B = Perimembranous ventricular septal defect; C = Inlet or atrioventricular canal ventricular septal defect; D = Muscular ventricular septal defect.

WHAT IS THE DEFECT

• The defect allows newly oxygenated blood from the left to flow to the right ventricle because the pressure in the left ventricle is higher.

• This mixes the unoxygenated and oxygenated blood.

• The blood goes straight to the lungs via the pulmonary artery.

• Ventricles are working harder and are pumping greater volumes of blood than normal.

WHAT IS THE DEFECT

WHAT IS THE DEFECT

• Small: these holes often close on their own but as blood flows from the left to the right ventricle at high pressure, a loud murmur is produced with each heartbeat.

• Large: these holes allow blood flow from the left to the right ventricle and lead to increased pressure and increased lung circulation. These lead to breathlessness, poor feeding and slow weight gain. This puts strain on the heart and needs surgical attention.

• The heart develops from a tube, large in size, that develops into sections that become the walls and chambers.

• When the interventricular septum doesn’t completely form, leaving a hole, this is what is known as the ventricular septal defect.

• This is more common to occur in a premature baby.

• These holes do not result from a birth defect.

• In adults, ventricular septal defects are a rare but serious complication of heart attacks.

• There’s also suggestions that people who develop a VSD is due to a missing or extra chromosome but there is still no clear reason.

WHAT CAUSES THE DEFECT

SweatingFast heart beats

Decreased weight gain Bluish colour of the skin

Unusual behaviourTachypnea

TachycardiaLethargy

SYMPTOMS

An echocardiogram Physical examination with a

stethoscope Electrocardiagram or ECG

Chest x- rays

HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?

- Surgical repair for large VSD- Small VSD have spontaneous closure

rate of 50%- Cardiac Catheterization

- Outpatient care and monitoring

TREATMENT