Download Ventricualr Septal Defect

VENTRICULAR SEPTAL DEFECT
(VSD)
CONTENTS
What is a VSD
What are the signs & symptoms
How is it treated
What can a parent do
WHAT IS A VSD
1. The heart has 4 chambers:
a. A Right and a Left upper chamber (compartment) called an atrium (a-tree-um)
b. A Right and a Left lower chamber (compartment) called a ventricle (ven-trickle).
2. In the normal heart, the right and left chambers are completely separated from
each other by a wall called a septum.
3. It is normal for all babies to be born with a small hole (defect) between the 2 upper
chambers (atrium), which usually closes within the first few weeks of life.
4. Normally there is no hole between the 2 lower chambers (ventricle). But some
babies are born with a hole between the 2 ventricles. This hole is called a
Ventricular Septal Defect or VSD. It is also sometimes called a congenital heart
defect.
VSD
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5. A VSD can happen anywhere in the septum and can be any size. A VSD never gets
bigger but sometimes it does get smaller or closes completely.
6. A Pediatric Cardiologist—a specialist in heart problems of babies and children—sees
babies with a VSD.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS
1. Some babies have no symptoms.
2. Murmur: This is the sound made as blood in the heart flows through the hole
between the 2 ventricles. It is heard when the doctor, nurse practitioner and/or the
nurse listen to your baby’s chest.
3. Fast/rapid breathing (Tachypnea).
4. Work harder to breathe—have retractions.
5. Fast/rapid heart rate (Tachycardia).
6. Feedings: may take a little longer than usual to take all of a feeding or may need to
rest several times during a feeding.
HOW IS IT TREATED
1. If the neonatologist notices any of the symptoms listed above and thinks the baby
has a VSD, an echocardiogram may be ordered.
2. An echocardiogram is a painless ultrasound of the heart. It uses high frequency
sound waves to measure blood flow and is done at your baby’s bedside.
3. The pediatric cardiologist will see your baby and will decide if your baby’s heart
defect needs
a. Regular checkups
b. Special tests and procedures
c. Surgery.
4. Most of the time, medicines can be used to begin with to treat the symptoms and
allow time for your baby to grow and for the “hole” to get smaller.
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a.
If the medicines do not work or the hole does not get smaller, then surgery is
necessary.
5. If your baby does need surgery, he/she will be transferred to either Duke
University Medical Center or The University Hospital at Chapel Hill for the surgery.
a. If the decision is to transfer your baby to another hospital you will be asked to
sign a consent giving Cape Fear Valley Medical Center permission to transfer your
baby.
b. If your baby is transferred to another hospital, the doctors there will also talk
with you about your baby’s surgery.
6. The surgery is done in the Operating Room and the baby is asleep for the surgery.
You will be asked to sign a consent (give permission) for the surgery.
7. Once your baby’s condition is stable and the doctors are happy with the baby’s
progress, the baby may be returned to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center’s Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit.
8. Both the pediatric cardiologist and our neonatologist will talk with you about your
baby and what they recommend.
9. Please feel free to ask questions at any time.
WHAT CAN A PARENT DO
1. Keep up with your baby’s progress each time you visit or call.
2. An important part of the baby getting better is the parents’ love and concern.
3. We encourage you to talk and sing to your baby, gently touch them and hold them
close if tolerated by the baby. Talk with your baby’s nurse about this.
4. Your love and attention will go a long way in helping your little one on the road to
recovery.
Reviewed/Revised: 12/03…..06/13
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