• A defect or “hole” between two lower chambers of heart.

• Results in increased blood flow to lungs and to left side of heart.

• Smaller defects can close spontaneously or possibly be left open.

• Larger defects often require some medical treatment and/or need to be closed with surgery.

• Excellent prognosis with a normal life expectancy (with or without surgery).

A VSD is a “hole” in the wall (septum) that is between the two lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart. These chambers are the pumping chambers of the heart. The left ventricle pumps red blood that is high oxygen content to the body. The right ventricle pumps blue blood that has low oxygen content to the lungs, where it picks up oxygen and turns into red blood. A VSD results in recirculation of oxygenated blood to the lungs. This means that blood that has already been to the lungs and received oxygen returns to the lungs. If the VSD is small, the lungs and heart can usually tolerate this “extra” blood flow to the lungs. However, if the VSD is large, the amount of additional blood flow to the lungs can overwhelm the lungs and the heart, leading to breathing difficulties and enlargement of the left side of the heart. These symptoms are usually noted within the first 4-6 weeks of life and can also be accompanied by poor weight gain in a baby.

A small VSD typically causes no symptoms and is discovered only by a physician hearing a heart murmur on exam. These small defects often will close on their own without any procedure or surgery.  Even if they do not close, there is a normal life expectancy for individuals who have them. There is a very slight risk of developing endocarditis (infection in the heart) with a small VSD, but this is rare.

A large VSD can potentially close on its own, or at least partially close. However, surgery is often required to close the VSD in order to prevent symptoms and to allow babies to grow and gain weight. Fortunately, surgical closure of a VSD is very successful and has a very low risk of complications.  After surgical closure, patients are expected to be able to have a normal life and no activity restrictions.