VENTRICULAR SEPTAL DEFECT
A VSD is common in both children and adults second only to bicuspid aortic valves as the most common congenital heart defect. The most common VSD type is the membranous VSD, occurring in 75 - 80 % of cases. Muscular VSD is the second most common type of VSD, occurring in 5 - 20 % of cases. Spontaneous closure of muscular VSD frequently occurs in the first 2 years of life, most by age 6 months.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A MEMBRANOUS VSD?
Severity of symptoms often depends on the size of the hole. While small VSDs can sometimes cause no symptoms, medium to large VSDs can allow more blood to pass through the hole, creating more work for the heart. The increased workload may cause fatigue, high blood pressure and/or an enlarged heart which can potentially cause permanent damage to the blood vessel walls. In babies, VSDs can result in poor weight gain, poor exercise tolerance and possibly heart failure.
HOW IS A MEMBRANOUS VSD TREATED?
There are several treatment options for a VSD, and there is no single option that is right for every patient. One option is medication which may be appropriate to help in treating symptoms associated with the VSD. Another treatment option is an open-heart surgery. The third option is a minimally invasive catheter-based procedure where a small occluder is inserted through a small incision in the groin and guided through vessels to the heart, where it is placed to seal the defect.
