Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)

A Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) is a common heart condition where there is a hole in the wall that separates the two lower chambers of the heart, called the ventricles. This defect affects the cardiovascular system and allows blood to flow abnormally between the left and right ventricles. Because of this, oxygen-rich blood from the left side mixes with oxygen-poor blood on the right side, which can cause the heart to work harder. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, fatigue, and poor growth in infants. The size of the hole and the amount of blood flow through it determine how much it affects health. Some small VSDs may close on their own, while larger ones can lead to complications like heart failure or lung problems.

Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) is a congenital cardiac malformation characterized by an abnormal opening in the interventricular septum, allowing left-to-right shunting of blood. The defect most commonly arises from incomplete fusion of the membranous or muscular portions of the septum during fetal development. This results in increased pulmonary blood flow and volume overload of the left heart chambers, potentially leading to pulmonary hypertension and heart failure if untreated. The clinical significance depends on the size and location of the defect, with large defects causing significant hemodynamic compromise. VSDs are the most common congenital heart defect and may be isolated or associated with other cardiac anomalies. Physical examination typically reveals a harsh holosystolic murmur best heard at the lower left sternal border.