An ventricular septal defect is a hole between the lower chambers of the heart that remains open after birth. It can lead to enlargement of the left side of heart and increase in pressure of the blood vessels of lungs among others.
Who requires an VSD closure ?
If the hole is small, it may not cause any problems or need treatment. But if the VSD is
large, it can cause symptoms and complications, like
- Shortness of breath
- Recurrent lung infections
- Faliure to gain weight
- Enlargement of right side of heart
- Heart failure.
- High pressure in blood vessels of your lungs (pulmonary artery hypertension).
How is a VSD closed ?
VSD can be closed surgically ( open heart surgery: defect is covered by a patch or directly closed with sutures i.e stitches ) or non -surgically if not too big ( certain types: perimembranous and muscular with catheter based device closure through the leg veins/arteries )