Is it necessary to perform amniocentesis for a ventricular septal defect?

Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
Updated on May 30, 2025
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Ventricular septal defect generally is not hereditary, and its genetic DNA should not be problematic. Therefore, the amniocentesis for patients with ventricular septal defect could potentially be problem-free. Although amniocentesis is not very diagnostic, it is still recommended for older patients or those with high risks of malformations or genetic variations. If there is only concern about a ventricular septal defect, a four-dimensional color Doppler ultrasound can be performed. Particularly after the 22nd week of pregnancy, a four-dimensional cardiac ultrasound can help in identification. However, some very small defects might not be detectable. But typically, a minor, isolated ventricular septal defect might impact heart function but generally does not significantly affect the growth and development of the child.

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What should I do if occasional chest tightness and shortness of breath occur due to a ventricular septal defect?

Ventricular septal defect can cause chest tightness and shortness of breath. This indicates that the ventricular septal defect has already led to a decline in cardiac function, which may not have reached the severity of heart failure. However, factors such as increased physical activity, emotional changes, infections, etc., can increase the cardiac burden, leading to symptoms of heart failure, manifesting as chest tightness and shortness of breath. In severe cases, it can be accompanied by wheezing and episodes of respiratory difficulty. Therefore, if a patient is found to have a ventricular septal defect, this is a congenital heart disease that requires early surgical treatment. Currently, percutaneous transcatheter closure or thoracotomy for ventricular septal repair can be employed. The specific method of surgery depends on the detailed assessment of the ventricular septal defect.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
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Does a ventricular septal defect easily cause pulmonary embolism?

Ventricular septal defect is a type of congenital heart disease. Currently, early surgical treatment is recommended for this disease, as it can lead to the formation of blood clots and easily cause pulmonary embolism. If pulmonary embolism occurs, this disease is very dangerous and can significantly impact human life. Therefore, early surgical intervention is the main approach. During this period, it is crucial to actively control the patient's blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse changes. At the same time, active and early surgical intervention should be carried out. If the defect area is large, it can also lead to heart failure, especially if murmurs are present in the precordial region, and it can easily cause palpitations, chest tightness, and breathing difficulties.

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Written by Zhang Zhi Gong
Cardiothoracic Surgery
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What are the symptoms of ventricular septal defect?

What are the symptoms of a ventricular septal defect? In normal individuals, there are no defects between the ventricular septa. However, if there is a small ventricular septal defect, such as less than five millimeters, typically ranging between two to three millimeters, this minor defect functions like small gaps between normal windows and doors, causing minimal shunting which generally does not significantly impact the patient, resulting in no obvious symptoms. However, if the defect is relatively large, such as exceeding five millimeters, causing significant left ventricular blood to shunt to the right ventricle, it can lead to congestion in the right ventricular system or pulmonary circulation. Under such conditions, patients may frequently experience respiratory infections, congestive heart failure, or in children, reluctance to eat, presenting feeding difficulties and developmental delays. Of course, if the defect continues to enlarge, achieving a size larger than the patient's aorta, the patient may show signs of significant right heart failure due to the damaged ventricular septum, necessitating emergency surgical intervention.

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Cardiothoracic Surgery
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Symptoms of ventricular septal defect

The main symptoms of a ventricular septal defect depend on the size of the defect and the age of the patient. Generally, smaller ventricular septal defects, such as those measuring only one to two millimeters, result in very little shunting from the left ventricular system to the right ventricular system. This is akin to a tiny amount of air seeping through a crack in a window or door. In such cases, the patient typically does not exhibit noticeable symptoms. However, if the defect is larger, over five millimeters, a significant amount of blood passes from the left ventricular system into the right ventricular system, which can cause substantial congestion in the right or both lungs of the right ventricular system, or lead to recurrent respiratory infections and congestive heart failure. The affected individual may show disinterest in eating, feeding difficulties, and delayed development. As the patient grows older, they may exhibit reduced activity endurance, fatigue or palpitations, and shortness of breath. Gradually, cyanosis and right heart failure may develop. Additionally, patients are at risk of developing infective endocarditis, fever without symptoms, and recurring fever.

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What should I do about hypoxia due to a ventricular septal defect?

Mild ventricular septal defects generally do not cause hypoxia. If symptoms of hypoxia recur due to a ventricular septal defect, it is recommended to undergo minimally invasive interventional treatment or surgical treatment at a hospital to prevent further episodes. The success rate of this surgery is very high, almost 100%, with relatively few complications. If hypoxia occurs in untreated ventricular septal defects, initial therapy should include oxygen administration, followed by diuretic, cardiotonic, and other treatments to reduce cardiac load at a hospital, and surgery should be considered as soon as suitable.