Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a congenital (present at birth) heart defect. It is a hole located between the lower chambers of the heart, the left and right ventricles. In a healthy heart, a solid piece of tissue called the ventricular septum separates the ventricles. When a VSD is present, there is a small opening in the septum that allows increased blood flow from the heart to the lungs. The extra blood in the lungs overworks the lungs and the heart.
Often, a ventricular septal defect will close on its own during infancy or early childhood, and no treatment is required. However, sometimes the hole does not close and persists in adulthood. Many adults with VSD are unaware they were born with this heart defect because symptoms do not exist, or symptoms do not appear until later in life.
Without treatment, adults with large VSDs may experience complications including:
There are four types of ventricular septal defects, categorized by their location:
This type of VSD is located in the lower portion of the septum. It is the most common type of VSD.
A hole located below the pulmonary aortic valves is called a conoventricular VSD.
A perimembranous VSD is located in the upper portion of the septum.
When the hole occurs near the tricuspid and mitral valves, where the blood enters the ventricles, it is called an inlet VSD. This type of VSD is often accompanied by additional heart defects.
The cause of VSD is usually unknown. Multiple children in the same family may have the condition, suggesting a genetic link.
In rare cases, a VSD can develop in adults after heart surgery or a heart attack.
Some patients do not experience any symptoms with VSD. When symptoms are present, they may be mild, moderate or severe, and can appear anytime from birth to later adulthood.
Adults with VSD may suffer from any of these symptoms:
Because the cause of VSD is usually known, prevention may not be possible. Ventricular septal defects often occur along with other conditions including additional heart defects or Down syndrome.
When VSD is diagnosed in an adult, it is often discovered during a routine checkup. The hole can cause abnormal heart sounds called a heart murmur which can be identified by listening through a stethoscope. If your provider identifies something out of the ordinary, they may recommend testing to identify or rule out a VSD. These tests could include:
When the hole is small and does not produce symptoms, and does not place damaging stress on the heart, the VSD usually does not require treatment. Health care providers may recommend regular checkups to watch for any changes.
However, if the VSD is larger or causes troublesome symptoms, it may require a procedure to close the hole. Depending on the size of the hole and any other complications that may be present, your health care provider will recommend either a minimally invasive catheter-based procedure or surgery.
Prescription medication can be used to alleviate symptoms, but it cannot repair the hole. VSD is often associated with fluid retention, and diuretics can be used to reduce the buildup.
A thin, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted through a small incision in the groin. Using high-resolution imaging technology, the heart specialist guides the catheter through the blood vessels until it reaches the VSD. A patch is applied to the hole, providing permanent closure. Most patients may resume normal activities within a week.
Large or complex VSDs may require open-heart surgery. This procedure involves a large incision in the chest to access the heart. The heart specialist will apply a patch to the VSD, providing permanent closure of the hole. Full recovery can take weeks or months.
Whether a ventricular septal defect is identified during infancy or not until adulthood, the renowned heart specialists affiliated with Memorial Hermann are highly qualified to treat and care for patients throughout their lives.
Using a combination of leading-edge technology, highly specialized imaging and the most effective treatment therapies available, Memorial Hermann-affiliated specialists can perform the appropriate repair procedure to keep the heart healthy. With a lifelong approach to care, our renowned care teams work with patients to minimize heart damage to help adults live heart-healthy lives.
If you’d like a referral to a heart and vascular specialist or want more information about our services, please fill out the form below. For other inquiries, such as obtaining medical records, imaging reports or test results, please call (713) 222-CARE (2273).