Ency. home > Disease > V > Ventricular septal defect

Ventricular septal defect    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

VSD; Interventricular septal defect

Definition:

A congenital defect of the heart, that occurs as an abnormal opening in the wall that separates the right and left ventricles.

Causes and Risks

Ventricular septal defect is more common in children than adults, and occurs often as a congenital heart disorder. In many children, the opening is very small, produces no symptoms, and often closes on its own before the child is 18 years old. In more severe cases, ventricular dysfunction can occur and heart failure may develop, requiring medical or surgical treatment.

This defect may also be associated with other heart defects. The cause of most congenital heart defects is unknown. Prenatal factors that are associated with a higher than normal incidence of the disease include maternal rubella or other viral illnesses during pregnancy, poor prenatal nutrition, maternal alcoholism, maternal age over 40, and diabetes.

In adults, interventricular septal defects can be a serious complication of a myocardial infarction.

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