VSD stands for ventricular septal defect. It is a very common condition in which there is a hole between the two chambers of the heart known as the ventricles. In the normal heart, there are no holes or connections between the two ventricles. If a VSD is present, blood is able to freely flow from one ventricle to another through the hole. This bypasses the way blood is normally supposed to flow through the normal heart and over time (months), the heart becomes enlarged and the patient develops heart failure. Heart failure means that the heart is working too hard and becoming enlarged and sick.
VSD Surgery
Before the modern era of surgery, patients with VSD would develop heart failure, become very sick and die in infancy or as young children. Thankfully, surgery for VSD has become a very successful and low- risk procedure that can be accomplished in patients of all ages and sizes. VSDs come in all shapes, sizes and locations, and each patient must be carefully evaluated. VSD is also commonly present in association with many much more complex congenital heart disease, and it is very important to have your evaluation at an experienced center that is familiar with all the nuances of these defects.
VSD closure still requires a patch closure using an incision and requires cardiopulmonary bypass for the majority of patients. For patch material, we prefer to use something called pericardium (the tough lining around the heart) or Gore-Tex (the same durable material that rain jackets are made from). Both are time-tested materials which produce no problems for the child as they grow, even years later.
At Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, patients of all ages and sizes have been undergoing successful VSD closure for more than 30 years using a standard, time-honored approach of patching. From 2009 to 2013, more than 130 consecutive VSD closures were performed as isolated procedures (meaning the VSD was the main work done) with a 100 percent success and survival rate. During the same time period, many more VSDs have also been closed by our surgeons as part of more complex procedures with similar success (see tetralogy of Fallot, AV canal and TGA for examples). This is important, as it means that the surgeons have developed vast experience closing all forms of VSD.
VSD FAQs
1. What is VSD and how does it affect the heart?
VSD, or ventricular septal defect, is a common condition where there is a hole between the heart’s ventricles, leading to abnormal blood flow that can cause the heart to become enlarged and develop heart failure over time.
2. How is VSD treated through surgery?
Modern cardiac surgery has made treating VSD very successful and low-risk. Surgical closure of VSD involves using materials like pericardium or Gore-Tex to patch the hole, typically requiring cardiopulmonary bypass for the procedure.
3. What should parents know about VSD closure surgery?
Parents should be aware that VSD closure surgery is a standard procedure that has been performed successfully for over 30 years at places like Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego. This surgery has a high success and survival rate, even when done as part of more complex heart procedures.
4. Are there different types of VSDs based on size and location?
Yes, there are various shapes, sizes, and locations of VSDs that require careful evaluation by experienced medical professionals, especially when present alongside other congenital heart diseases. Each patient’s VSD is unique and may necessitate a tailored approach to treatment.
5. What are the long-term outcomes for children who undergo VSD closure surgery?
Children who undergo VSD closure surgery using patch materials like pericardium or Gore-Tex can lead healthy lives with no issues related to the closure materials as they grow older, ensuring a successful and lasting solution for their heart condition.
About Rady Children’s Heart Institute
Rady Children’s Heart Institute in San Diego is a leading center for VSD surgery, specializing in the treatment of ventricular septal defects, a common condition found in congenital heart disease. VSD, or ventricular septal defect, is characterized by a hole between the heart’s ventricles, disrupting normal blood flow and leading to complications like congestive heart failure. The institute’s medical professionals are experienced in cardiac surgery to address VSDs of various shapes and sizes, often in conjunction with other complex heart conditions. Surgical closure of VSDs involves patching the hole with materials like pericardium or Gore-Tex, ensuring long-term durability without complications as the child grows. Rady Children’s Hospital has a successful track record of over 30 years, with a 100 percent success and survival rate in isolated VSD closures and complex procedures alike, highlighting their expertise in pediatric cardiac surgery for VSDs.