Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) Flashcards
What is a VSD?
A VSD is a hole in the ventricular septum
What does VSD stand for?
Ventricular Septal Defect
When and how does VSD occur?
VSD occurs during pregnancy when the ventricular septum doesn’t fully develop
What is the main consequence of a VSD?
The oxygenated blood and deoxygenated blood will mix. This means that some of the oxygenated blood will go back to the lungs and some of the deoxygenated blood will go back to the rest of the body.
What could happen if the VSD is small? What if it is large?
If the VSD is small, it could close on its own. If the VSD is large however, the infant may show signs and symptoms
What influences the signs and symptoms of VSD?
The size of the VSD influences the signs and symptoms
When can signs and symptoms begin to appear?
Signs and symptoms may be present at birth or may not appear until well after birth
What signs and symptoms could a VSD cause? (4)
Infants with a VSD may show signs and symptoms such as:
-Shortness of breath
-Fast or heavy breathing
-Sweating
-Tiredness when feeding (eating)
When is VSD usually diagnosed?
VSD is usually diagnosed after birth
What may indicate a VSD during a physical exam? What aspect of the VSD will influence this sign?
A heart murmur may indicate VSD during a physical exam. The size of the VSD will influence whether a heart murmur is heart during a physical exam.
What may happen if signs and symptoms of VSD are present?
If signs or symptoms of VSD are present, one or more further tests may be requested
What is the most common test used to confirm a VSD? (1) What is it to put simply? (1) What does it show? (2)
The most common test for the confirmation of a VSD is an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart). An echocardiogram can show how large the VSD is and how much blood is flowing through the VSD,
What do the treatments of a VSD depend on?
The treatments of a VSD depend on its size and the problems it might cause.
Many VSDs are _____ and is able to _____ on its own.
Many VSDs are small and is able to close on its own.
If the VSD is small and causing no symptoms, … (1)
If the VSD is small and causing no symptoms, a cardiologist will still check the infant regularly to make sure that the VSD closes and that there are no signs of heart failure.
If the VSD is large or doesn’t close on its own, … (3)
If the VSD is large and doesn’t close on its own, the cardiologist may recommend cardiac catherization or an open-heart surgery depending on the infant’s general health and symptoms and the VSD’s size. These procedures will close the VSD and restore normal blood flow. After surgery, the cardiologist will schedule regular follow-up visits to make sure that the VSD remains closed.
What are some other treatments for a VSD? (2)
Other treatments for VSD include prescribing medicine and high-calorie formulas.
What do medicines do to help treat a VSD? (3)
Some patients will need medicines to help strengthen the heart muscle, lower their BP, and help the body get rid of extra fluid.
What do high-calorie formulas do to help treat a VSD? (4)
Patients may get tired when feeding/eating, so they may not gain enough weight and nutrition. To treat this, a special high-calorie formula may be prescribed. A feeding tube may be used in extreme cases.
What do the lives of most people who have a VSD that closes (either on _____ _____ or with _____) look like?
Most people “who have a VSD that closes (either on its own or with surgery) live healthy lives”
Is a VSD a critical CHD?
No
What is a heart murmur?
A heart murmur is a whooshing sound that can be heard in the heart with a stethoscope due to irregular blood flow through the heart.
What is an echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart.
What is cardiac catherization?
Cardiac catherization is an operation in which a tube/wire (catheter) is inserted into one of the blood vessels and then into the heart. This is done to take an x-ray of certain blood vessels inside and outside the heart.
