Congenital Heart Defect (Ventricular Septal Defect)

1. Congenital Heart Defect (Ventricular Septal Defect) Michaela Cormier

2. What is Congenital Heart Defect? Congenital Herat is an disease that begins at birth. The Blood or the heart vessels don’t develop properly in the womb. This disease affects 1% of live births. Congenital Heart Defect is most frequent congenital malformations in newborns.

3. Types There are thirteen types of common congenital heart defects Ventricular septal defect Atrial septal defect Patent ductus arteriosus Pulmonary valve stenosis Aortic stenosis Coarctation of the aorta Transposition of the great arteries Tetralogy of Fallot Ebstein's anomaly Atrioventricular canal defect Hypoplastic left heart syndrome Truncus arteriosus Common Congenital Heart Defects in Children Congenital heart defects are heart problems that develop before birth. They can occur in the heart's chambers, valves or blood vessels. A baby may be born with only one defect or with several defects. Of the dozens of heart defects, some are mild and may need little or no medical treatment even through adulthood. Other types of congenital heart defects are life-threatening, either immediately to the newborn or over time.

4. Ventricular Septal Defect(VSD) A VSD is a hole in the muscle wall between the two lower pumping chambers of the heart. The hole allows oxygen-rich (red) and oxygen-poor (blue) blood to mix. This overfills the lungs and overworks the heart. • If your baby has a small VSD, it may never cause any problems, and may even close up on its own. A larger VSD, if not treated, may cause a number of disabilities, including: • Eisenmenger's syndrome: High blood pressure in the lung arteries, leading to permanent damage and lung disease. • Congestive heart failure: A chronic condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body. • Endocarditis: A bacterial infection of the heart. • Stroke: A life-threatening condition that occurs when a blood clot passes through the hole in the heart and goes to the brain.

5. Deference Between Regular Heart & Ventricular Septal Heart Healthy Heart Ventricular Septal Heart

6. Symptoms of VSD • The size of your baby's VSD will affect when and how symptoms occur. Symptoms may not occur until several weeks after birth. • A small VSD will sometimes cause no symptoms at all, or even close on its own. A larger hole means that more blood goes through the opening and makes the right side of the heart work harder, making the condition more serious. • Symptoms vary, but may most commonly include: • Fatigue and low energy • Disinterest or tiredness while feeding • Poor weight gain • Accelerated heart rate and sweating • Rapid, heavy or difficult breathing

7. More Symptoms of Ventricular Septal Defect • :A blue tone to the skin, lips, or nails • Swelling of the legs, feet or stomach • Your baby's doctor may also suspect a heart defect if he or she hears a heart murmur an abnormal whooshing noise, heard through a stethoscope exam, which may indicate a problem with blood flow. Most heart murmurs are called "innocent heart murmurs." Children with innocent heart murmurs do not have a heart defect and do not experience heart problems. However, if a heart murmur is present along with other symptoms, your doctor may want to investigate further by ordering other tests.

8. Cause • A VSD occurs during the first eight weeks of fetal development when the heart is forming. A VSD means that a walls between the chambers of the heart is left incomplete, leaving what is commonly called "a hole in the heart.“ • Most VSDs occur with no clear reason. However, some risk factors have been identified, such as a mother who contracts measles, uses drugs or alcohol, or has diabetes during pregnancy. In addition, some congenital heart defects may have a genetic link, causing heart problems to occur more often in certain families.

9. How Ventricular Septal Defect is Treated • Once diagnosed, your child's treatment may vary depending on his or her individual needs. Many babies born with VSD won't need to have it surgically closed. Your doctor may simply want to observe your baby, treat any symptoms, and wait to see if the defect closes naturally. • Your child may be given medications to keep the heartbeat regular, increase the strength of the heart's contractions, and decrease the amount of fluid in circulation. • If your child's condition is severe or the septal defect is large, surgery may be a good idea in order to prevent complications later. Procedures vary, but the options may include: • Surgical repair: This surgery involves closing the VSD through open-heart surgery. • Cardiac catheterization: This is similar to the diagnostic test described above, except the doctor may be able to use the catheter to place a mesh patch over the VSD. When heart tissue grows in around the patch, a permanent seal is formed. This is a less invasive procedure that does not require open-heart surgery.

10. Medical Advances Thanks to medical advances In Canada and around the world, The survival of children with Congenital heart disease has improved greatly. Almost sixty years ago less than 20% of babies born with complex heart defect was going to end up reaching adulthood. Today, more than 90% end up living to adulthood, with the help of care so they can avoid or manage complications and live life to ones fullest.

11. Resources • http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3484063/k.E84C/Heart_disease__Congenital_heart_disease.htm?gclid=CJT8taCoqrcCFaxFMgodfR0A-A • http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/congenital-heart-defects/CC00026&slide=5 Paragraphs from Type slide are from this website. • http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ventricular-septal-defect/DS00614/DSECTION=causes • http://www.childrensmn.org/services/cardiovascular-program/top-conditions/ventricular-septal-defects?gclid=CM6kqtzitrcCFYWe4AodskIALA