Ventricular septal defect

Ventricular septal defect refers to an abnormal communication formed due to incomplete embryonic development of the ventricular septum, resulting in a left-to-right shunt at the ventricular level. It may exist alone or be a component of certain complex cardiac malformations. Ventricular septal defect is the most common congenital heart disease. The symptoms and disease progression depend on the size of the defect; small defects may remain asymptomatic for a long time, while large defects present with early symptoms and may progress to pulmonary hypertension and heart failure. The main clinical manifestations include the following: 1. Susceptibility to respiratory tract infections and palpitations and shortness of breath upon exertion. Small ventricular septal defects may be asymptomatic. 2. A loud and harsh systolic murmur heard at the third and fourth intercostal spaces along the left sternal border, accompanied by a thrill, with an accentuated P2. Ventricular septal defect is a simple congenital heart disease, and the diagnosis can generally be confirmed based on physical signs and echocardiographic examination. Combined with routine examinations such as electrocardiography and chest X-ray, it can be differentiated from other simple congenital heart diseases. It is important that, when diagnosing ventricular septal defect, possible associated malformations such as coarctation of the aorta, patent ductus arteriosus, aortic valve prolapse and insufficiency, and pulmonary stenosis should be clearly diagnosed before surgery. The surgical treatment for ventricular septal defect is ventricular septal defect repair. In principle, once the diagnosis of ventricular septal defect is confirmed, elective surgery should be performed unless there are contraindications, to suture or patch the defect, so as to avoid bacterial endocarditis, impaired development and normal life, and even loss of the opportunity for surgery. The surgical outcome of this disease is definitive, with a very low operative mortality rate, and normal cardiac function can be fully restored after surgery. However, in patients with pulmonary hypertension, the operative mortality rate is higher and postoperative recovery is slower, and some patients with severe pulmonary hypertension lose the opportunity for surgery. Therefore, early surgery should be performed. After surgery, patients should have a reasonable daily routine arranged, combining enhanced exercise to improve the body's resistance with adequate rest to avoid excessive fatigue. A diet high in protein, high in calories, and rich in vitamins should be provided to strengthen the constitution. If symptoms such as shortness of breath, restlessness, tachycardia, or dyspnea are observed, heart failure may have occurred, and the patient should be promptly taken to the hospital for treatment.