vsd_flashcards
What is the characteristic murmur of a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)?
Loud pansystolic murmur heard best at the lower left sternal edge in the third and fourth intercostal spaces; quiet pulmonary second heart sound.
What are other causes of a pan-systolic murmur?
Mitral regurgitation and tricuspid regurgitation.
What is the first line treatment for VSD?
Observation.
What often happens to small shunts with no evidence of pulmonary hypertension or heart failure in VSD?
They will often close spontaneously, demonstrated by disappearance of the murmur and a normal echocardiogram.
How should bacterial endocarditis be prevented while the VSD is present?
Maintaining good dental hygiene and prophylactic amoxicillin for patients at high risk of developing endocarditis during surgical procedures.
What are the surgical options for large VSD?
Transvenous catheter closure through the femoral vein, or open heart surgery.
How is heart failure treated in patients with VSD?
With diuretics (furosemide), or may need furosemide + captopril ± digoxin.
What additional support may be needed for patients with VSD?
Additional calorie inputs.
