VENTRICULAR SEPTAL DEFECTS

VENTRICULAR SEPTAL DEFECTS

Ventricular septal defect, a common congenital heart condition, is characterized by the presence of a hole in the heart. The hole occurs along with the division or septum of the heart’s ventricles – the lower chamber of the heart that pumps out blood. This causes blood to pass through the other ventricle. This makes the heart exert more effort since the oxygenated blood gets pumped back into the lungs instead of the body.

Minor ventricular septal defects may cause no complications, and most cases usually resolve on its own. Moderate to major ventricular septal defects may need surgical intervention to prevent complications.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms may include:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Breathlessness

If the defect is minor, symptoms of the defect may appear later upon childhood. The occurrence of symptoms varies according to the degree of severity of the defect, that is, the size of the hole and other associated heart defects.

A murmur upon auscultation of the heart can be a sign that your baby has a heart defect. However, in some cases, ventricular septal defects can be detected by ultrasound before birth.

In some cases, ventricular septal defects can’t be detected until the person reaches the later part of their life. Shortness of breath or a heart murmur upon auscultation may be the signs of a ventricular septal defect.

TYPES

Other common types of leg ulcer include:

  • Arterial leg ulcers
  • Diabetic leg ulcers
  • Malignant leg ulcers
  • Traumatic leg ulcers
  • Vasculitic leg ulcers

Ulcers in the foot are usually caused by diabetes.

 

SYMPTOMS

Itching, pain, and swelling in the affected leg are characteristic symptoms of a venous leg ulcer.

Discoloration, hardening of the skin around the ulcer, and presence of a foul-smelling discharge may also be present when you have a venous leg ulcer.

If you have a venous leg ulcer, you may exhibit the following conditions:

  • discoloration and darkening of the skin around the ulcer
  • swollen ankles
  • red, flaky, scaly and itchy skin on your legs
  • swollen and enlarged veins on your legs
  • hardened skin around the ulcer, which may make your leg feel hard
  • a heavy feeling in your legs
  • an unpleasant and foul-smelling discharge from the ulcer
  • aching or swelling in your legs

 

Signs of an infection

Opportunistic pathogens could cause secondary bacterial infections due to the ulcer. 

Symptoms of an infected leg ulcer may include:

  • a green or unpleasant discharge coming from the ulcer
  • fever
  • redness and swelling of the skin around the ulcer
  • worsening pain
  • an unpleasant smell coming from the ulcer

Symptoms may include:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Breathlessness

If the defect is minor, symptoms of the defect may appear later upon childhood. The occurrence of symptoms varies according to the degree of severity of the defect, that is, the size of the hole and other associated heart defects.

A murmur upon auscultation of the heart can be a sign that your baby has a heart defect. However, in some cases, ventricular septal defects can be detected by ultrasound before birth.

In some cases, ventricular septal defects can’t be detected until the person reaches the later part of their life. Shortness of breath or a heart murmur upon auscultation may be the signs of a ventricular septal defect.

 

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

Ventricular septal defects often produce a murmur upon heart auscultation. If your primary care physician or cardiologist (an internist who specializes in treating diseases of the heart), he or she will request a couple of tests which include the following:

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG).This test records the electrical activity of the heart and could shed light on any heart damage that occurred in the past.
  • A video image of the heart is produced in this test.
  • Cardiac catheterization.A catheter is inserted into a blood vessel and guided towards the heart.
  • Chest X-ray
  • Pulse oximetry.Clipping of a small device to the fingertips of the individual to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood.

 

TREATMENT

Many cases with minor ventricular septal defects won’t require surgical intervention to close the hole. Your doctor will most probably observe and treat symptoms associated with the defect.

Surgical intervention is warranted for moderate to major ventricular septal defects to resolve the symptoms associated with the defect. Symptoms for these cases may be debilitating.

Medications

Medications for ventricular septal defect may include those to:

  • Lessen the amount of fluid in the lungs and bloodstream.Medications such as diuretics like furosemide.
  • Maintain a regular heart rhythm.These include beta-blockers such as atenolol, propranolol, and carvedilol.

 

Surgical intervention

Moderate to major cases of ventricular septal defects need surgery to close the hole in the septum. This procedure is called surgical repair. Doing so avoids further complications from the defect and helps in the resolution of the symptoms associated with the defect.

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