What is a possible treatment that can be used to treat a child with VSD?
Although surgery is still the standard of care, a minimally invasive procedure using cardiac catheterization may be an option to fix the VSD for some children. This approach uses a long, flexible tube (catheter) inserted through a blood vessel in the groin instead of open heart surgery.
What medication is used for VSD?
Medications. Medications for ventricular septal defect depend on the severity of heart failure symptoms. The goal of medication is to decrease the amount of fluid in circulation and in the lungs. Medications called diuretics, such as furosemide (Lasix), reduce how much blood must be pumped.
How do you take care of a VSD baby?
How can you care for your infant at home?
- Give your baby medicines exactly as prescribed.
- Watch for symptoms that may mean there is a problem.
- Help your baby eat well.
- Make sure that your child gets all the recommended vaccines, which helps keep your child healthy.
- Keep your child away from smoke.
What triggers VSD?
The most common cause of a VSD is a congenital heart defect, which is a defect from birth. Some people are born with holes already present in their heart. They may cause no symptoms and take years to diagnose. A rare cause of a VSD is severe blunt trauma to the chest.
Do babies with heart defects sleep more?
The heart must pump faster to meet the body’s needs. The body’s metabolism is also faster under these conditions. Your child needs extra calories to maintain weight and grow. Your child may become tired quickly since the body is working harder under the stress of the heart defect.
Is a hole in a baby’s heart Serious?
It is the most common heart problem that babies are born with. Many defects in the ventricular septum close themselves and cause no problems. Otherwise, medicines or surgery can help. Most babies born with a defect in the septum have normal survival.
Why do babies get VSD?
VSDs can occur alone or with other congenital heart defects. During fetal development, a ventricular septal defect occurs when the muscular wall separating the heart into left and right sides (septum) fails to form fully between the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles).
How long does it take for VSD to close?
Approximately 75 percent of small VSDs close on their own within the first year of life or by age 10 and do not require any treatment other than careful monitoring. For medium to large VSDs, the spontaneous closure rate is about 5 to 10 percent.
How do VSD babies eat?
Your child may need to be fed through a small, flexible tube. This tube passes through the nose, down the esophagus, and into the stomach. Your child may have tube feedings along with or in place of bottle feedings. Babies who can drink part of their bottles may be fed the rest through a feeding tube.
Why do cardiac babies sweat?
Many babies with excess blood flow to the lungs develop an increased metabolic rate as the heart is forced to work much harder than normal. Sweating is often a side effect of this increased metabolic rate.
How long can a baby live with a hole in their heart?
Living With Holes in the Heart. The outlook for children who have atrial septal defects (ASDs) or ventricular septal defects (VSDs) is excellent. Advances in treatment allow most children who have these heart defects to live normal, active, and productive lives with no decrease in lifespan.
How long does it take for a VSD to close?
How is the ventricular septal defect ( VSD ) treated?
Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a common congenital heart defect in both children and adults. Management of this lesion has changed dramatically in the last 50 years. Catheter-based therapy for VSD closure, now in the clinical trial phase, is another step in the evolution of treatment for this disorder.
Can a baby be born with a large ventricular septal defect?
Medium or moderate ventricular septal defects are more challenging to predict. Sometimes babies born with moderate ventricular septal defects will have problems with congestive heart failure like babies with large ventricular septal defects. Others will have no problems at all and just need to be watched.
Which is the correct definition of a septal defect?
A ventricular septal defect is an opening in the ventricular septum, or dividing wall between the two lower chambers of the heart known as the right and left ventricles. VSD is a congenital (present at birth) heart defect.
Are there any medications for children with VSD?
However, some children may need to take medications to help the heart work better, since the right side may be under strain from the extra blood passing through the VSD. Medications that may be prescribed include the following: Digoxin. A medication that helps strengthen the heart muscle, enabling it to pump more efficiently. Diuretics.