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Ventricular Septal Defect
What is it?
Babies born with a ventricular septal defect have a hole in their septum. The septum is the wall between the ventricles or chambers where blood is pumped out of the heart.
This is the most common heart birth defect and is often referred to as a hole in the heart.
In the heart, blood going to the lungs stays on the right side of the heart and blood ready to enter the body stays on the left side of the heart.
But when there is a hole between the ventricles, some oxygen-rich blood leaks back to the right side of the heart. If the hole is large, the heart has to pump harder to get oxygen-rich blood to the body.
As a result of the extra work, the heart can get bigger.
How is it treated?
Some ventricular septal defects close on their own; others need surgery. Also, catheterization closure may be possible for some children.