Congenital Heart Disease

Ventricular Septal Defect

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Signs and Symptoms

A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a hole in the wall or septum of the heart that separates the left and right lower chambers, called ventricles. This hole allows blood to flow from the left ventricle into the right ventricle instead of flowing in the aorta, the main artery that sends oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. Blood from the right ventricle is pumped into the lungs. VSDs are the most common form of congenital heart disease.

Symptoms of a large ventricular septal defect occur from the increased workload on the heart. If the hole in the ventricular wall is large, symptoms may include shortness of breath. The heart also may enlarge and pulmonary hypertension can result.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated November 9, 2007