Congenital Heart Disease

Ventricular Septal Defect

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Treatment

Small holes often close without treatment. If the hole is large, it may be treated either with drugs or with open-heart surgery, usually performed in childhood. The surgery consists of covering the hole with a patch, which eventually is covered by normal heart lining tissue. Small holes may be closed without a patch.

Adult patients with a ventricular septal defect (VSD) should be seen by a cardiologist specializing in the care of adults with congenital heart disease to monitor for late complications. Some patients may need to take antibiotics during subsequent surgeries or dental procedures to protect against endocarditis. VSD patients should consult their cardiologists regarding the need for antibiotics.

Most people whose VSDs were repaired in childhood don't have any long-term heart problems. However, some may require continuous treatment with diuretics and blood pressure medications to help the heart pump better. If there is a leak around the VSD patch, patients should continue to receive endocarditis prevention treatment.

Rarely, a patient develops pulmonary hypertension. This can cause a condition called Eisenmenger's syndrome. While women with small or repaired VSDs generally are not at increased risk for pregnancy, those with Eisenmenger's syndrome are at very high risk. If you are pregnant and have Eisenmenger's syndrome, the use of antibiotics for endocarditis prevention should be discussed with your obstetrician.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated February 6, 2008