What will happen in the later stage if a ventricular septal defect is not operated on?

Written by Di Zhi Yong

Cardiology

Updated on August 31, 2024

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Because a ventricular septal defect is a type of congenital heart disease, if surgery is not performed, it can sometimes lead to ischemic and hypoxic conditions in patients. During this period, active surgical treatment is still necessary, as this disease primarily relies on surgical intervention. Medical treatment, especially drug therapy, is not very effective, so it is recommended to prioritize immediate treatment with surgical assistance.

After surgery, it is still necessary to regularly check the heart with an echocardiogram, as this disease can produce murmurs in the precordial area. Patients may also experience recurring respiratory infections, especially cases of bronchitis and bronchopneumonia.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong

Cardiology

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Does interventricular septal defect occasionally cause chest pain?

Ventricular septal defect is a type of congenital heart disease, occurring when the ventricles of the heart develop poorly during the embryonic stage, leading to a defect in the ventricular septum. This often results in a left-to-right shunt which affects the efficiency of the heart's function. In severe cases, it can cause a right-to-left shunt. Generally, these conditions do not affect the coronary circulation or cause chest pain in patients. However, some patients may develop endocarditis at the ventricular septum, which sometimes leads to the formation of vegetations on the cardiac valves or blood clots on the abdominal wall. If thrombosis or vegetations occur, there is a possibility of these breaking off. If they enter the coronary arteries, they can cause chest pain. However, such events are extremely rare, with an occurrence rate of less than one in a thousand.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong

Cardiology

1min 17sec

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Is congenital heart disease with perimembranous ventricular septal defect serious?

Simple congenital heart defects, such as perimembranous defects, generally are not particularly severe. However, there are several scenarios to consider: The first scenario involves a large defect that typical occluders cannot address; in such cases, surgical intervention is required. This type of defect is generally considered severe. Another scenario is when a cardiac defect has been present for an extended period, leading to repeated shortness of breath, heart failure, cardiac enlargement, and even pulmonary arterial hypertension. This situation would be considered a severe ventricular septal defect, caused by the failure to treat the membranous part of the septal defect in time. Thus, the majority of ventricular septal defects are not very severe in the early stages. They become serious if the defect is too large or if there is coexistence with other defects, such as an overriding aorta or poorly developed pulmonary artery, among other complex congenital heart diseases. Regardless, patients with perimembranous congenital heart defects should undergo surgical treatment early to avoid missing the opportunity for surgery.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong

Cardiology

43sec

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Can ventricular septal defect be detected during prenatal screening?

Ventricular septal defect is a type of congenital heart disease that can only be diagnosed through an echocardiogram. Routine prenatal screenings cannot detect it. Particularly for newborns, it’s advisable to have an echocardiogram, and for fetuses, a four-dimensional ultrasound is recommended. Sometimes, ultrasound results can only serve as a reference and may not indicate actual problems, but there is also a certain margin of error. If a child has congenital heart disease, it is advisable to have regular echocardiogram check-ups at the hospital. This allows timely identification of the cause, and determination of whether surgery is necessary for treatment, which is the ultimate goal.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong

Cardiology

46sec

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Can ventricular septal defect avoid amniocentesis?

Because ventricular septal defect is a type of congenital heart disease, it is recommended that patients adopt a light diet and especially avoid spicy and stimulating foods due to the condition of ventricular septal defects. It is still recommended to pursue active and early surgical treatment to improve symptoms. If there is poor cardiac function, or symptoms of palpitations and chest tightness occur, amniocentesis should not be performed as it carries certain risks. However, for milder symptoms that can be timely controlled, amniocentesis and other tests may be considered, but it is also necessary to rule out other diseases. If the patient does not have any special diseases in the past, such as coronary heart disease or diabetes, the procedure can be handled.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong

Cardiology

43sec

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If a ventricular septal defect is not surgically repaired, what will happen?

If the patient has a history of congenital heart disease, especially ventricular septal defect, it can lead to symptoms such as palpitations and chest tightness. The current recommendation for treatment is primarily symptomatic management; however, it is also advised that patients seek early surgical intervention at a hospital. Medical treatment or drug therapy often does not yield ideal results for this condition, and surgical intervention is necessary to address these symptoms. Currently, minimally invasive surgical treatment can be used. If the patient does not undergo surgery, conditions such as palpitations, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing can occur at any time.