Ventricular Septal Defect
What is a ventricular septal defect (VSD)?
The septum is the wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart. If there is a hole in the wall between the two ventricles, it is called a ventricular septal defect (VSD). VSD is the most common heart birth defect. About 1 in 500 babies are born with a VSD. About 20%-30% of all heart defects are only VSDs.
Why might someone have a hole in their heart?
It could be due to their genes and the environment, a VSD is common in children who have other genetic problems as well, such as Down syndrome.
Consequences of the Ventricular Septal Defect
Some people who are borne with VSD can also have other heart defects such as leaking or narrow heart valves, or other more complicated defects such as tetralogy of fallot. If the hole between the two sides is too big then blood will go from the left side of the heart to the right side, this means that extra blood is pumped to the lungs, which can cause high blood pressure in the lungs. This can lead to permanent damage in the lungs blood vessels
How can Ventricular Septal Defect be treated?
They can be closed by placing a patch or plug into the hole during open heart surgery, this can be done also by using a catheter, which is a long thin tube that the doctor guides into the heart through a blood vessel.
Ventricular Septal Defect
What is a ventricular septal defect (VSD)?
The septum is the wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart. If there is a hole in the wall between the two ventricles, it is called a ventricular septal defect (VSD). VSD is the most common heart birth defect. About 1 in 500 babies are born with a VSD. About 20%-30% of all heart defects are only VSDs.
Why might someone have a hole in their heart?
It could be due to their genes and the environment, a VSD is common in children who have other genetic problems as well, such as Down syndrome.
Consequences of the Ventricular Septal Defect
Some...