The misunderstanding of "being too careful" - understanding ventricular septal defect

Author: Zhang Xin, Chief Physician, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University

Reviewer: Wang Fangyun, Chief Physician, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University

Ventricular septal defect, this term may be unfamiliar to many people, but it is a very common type of congenital heart disease, posing a potential threat to the quality of life and even the life safety of children with it. This article will explore in depth the definition, symptoms, treatment strategies and surgical methods of ventricular septal defect, in order to provide the public with a comprehensive and clear understanding.

1. What is ventricular septal defect?

Ventricular septal defect, the medical term for this, is a congenital structural abnormality that occurs during heart development. Simply put, the ventricular septum inside the heart (the muscular wall that separates the left and right ventricles) does not close completely as it normally does, leaving one or more holes. These holes allow blood to flow directly from the left ventricle into the right ventricle, forming the so-called left-to-right shunt, disrupting the normal blood flow circulation pattern inside the heart. Ventricular septal defects can be single or multiple, they can exist independently or may coexist with other types of congenital heart disease.

2. What are the symptoms of ventricular septal defect?

The symptoms of ventricular septal defect vary from person to person, depending mainly on the size and location of the defect and the age of the patient. Children with ventricular septal defects already exist at birth, but may not have obvious symptoms until they are discovered through routine cardiac ultrasound or infant physical examinations. For patients with smaller defects, they may not have any obvious symptoms for a long time and are only discovered during occasional physical examinations or cardiac ultrasounds. However, if the defect is larger, the patient may experience a series of obvious symptoms in infancy or childhood, such as shortness of breath, increased heart rate, sweating, feeding difficulties, slow growth, etc. For older children and adults, they may feel easy fatigue, chest tightness, palpitations, and even serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing and cyanosis after strenuous exercise.

Figure 1 Copyright image, no permission to reprint

3. How to treat ventricular septal defect?

The key to treating a ventricular septal defect is to detect it promptly and take appropriate treatment measures. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the patient should visit a cardiology clinic as soon as possible for evaluation and treatment recommendations from a professional doctor. The choice of treatment depends on many factors, including the type, size, and location of the defect, as well as the patient's age and overall health. For patients with small defects and no obvious symptoms, the doctor may recommend conservative treatment, which means regular follow-up to observe changes in the defect and close attention to the patient's heart function and symptoms. If the defect is large or the patient has obvious symptoms, it is necessary to consider surgical treatment to close the defect.

Figure 2 Copyright image, no permission to reprint

4.What are the surgical methods for ventricular septal defect?

Surgical treatment is one of the main means of closing ventricular septal defects. With the continuous advancement of medical technology, surgical methods are becoming increasingly diverse and minimally invasive. At present, the most commonly used surgical methods include surgical thoracotomy and interventional closure. Surgical thoracotomy is a traditional surgical method that directly exposes the heart and repairs the defect by making an incision of a certain size in the chest or armpit. Although this surgical method is more traumatic, the treatment effect is accurate and reliable, and it is suitable for ventricular septal defects of various types and sizes. Interventional closure is a more minimally invasive surgical method that uses a special occluder to be delivered into the heart through a vascular route and accurately locates the defect site for closure. This surgical method has the advantages of less trauma, faster recovery, and fewer complications, and has gradually become one of the important choices for the treatment of ventricular septal defects. However, it should be noted that not all ventricular septal defects are suitable for interventional closure surgery, and the specific situation needs to be determined based on the patient's specific situation and the doctor's evaluation.

In conclusion, as a common type of congenital heart disease, the treatment of ventricular septal defect needs to comprehensively consider the specific conditions and disease progression of the child. Through scientific diagnosis, reasonable treatment strategies and advanced surgical techniques, it is expected to bring better treatment effects and quality of life to the children.