What defect has a hole in the septum of the heart?
An atrial septal defect is a birth defect of the heart in which there is a hole in the wall (septum) that divides the upper chambers (atria) of the heart. A hole can vary in size and may close on its own or may require surgery. An atrial septal defect is one type of congenital heart defect.
Why is there a hole in the septum of a fetus?
A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a hole in the part of the septum that separates the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart). The hole allows oxygen-rich blood to flow from the left ventricle into the right ventricle instead of flowing into the aorta and out to the body as it should.
What is the hole in the interventricular septum of the fetus called?
Before a baby is born, the right and left ventricles of the heart are not separate. As the fetus grows, a septal wall forms to separate these 2 ventricles. If the wall does not completely form, a hole remains. This hole is known as a ventricular septal defect, or a VSD.
What causes a hole in the heart at birth?
Most congenital heart defects result from problems that occur early as the baby’s heart is developing before birth. The exact cause of most congenital heart defects is unknown. However, certain environmental and genetic risk factors may play a role.
What makes an atrial septal defect a congenital defect?
Atrial septal defect is considerered a simple congenital heart defect because the hole may close on its own as the heart grows during childhood, and repair may not be necessary. Cross-section of a normal heart and a heart with an atrial septal defect. Figure A shows the structure and blood flow inside a normal heart.
Why is a hole in the heart considered a congenital defect?
The hole causes blood to flow from the left atrium and mix with the right atrium, instead of going to the rest of the body. Atrial septal defect is considerered a simple congenital heart defect because the hole may close on its own as the heart grows during childhood, and repair may not be necessary.
Which is the correct description of a septal defect?
Ventricular septal defect. A ventricular septal defect is an abnormal opening (hole) in the heart that forms between the heart’s lower pumping chambers (ventricles), as shown in the heart on the right. This allows oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood to mix. A normal heart is shown on the left. A ventricular septal defect (VSD), a hole in …
When does a ventricular septal defect occur during pregnancy?
This wall also is called the ventricular septum. A ventricular septal defect happens during pregnancy if the wall that forms between the two ventricles does not fully develop, leaving a hole. A ventricular septal defect is one type of congenital heart defect. Congenital means present at birth.
What does it mean to have a ventricular septal defect?
What is a Ventricular Septal Defect. A ventricular septal defect is one type of congenital heart defect. Congenital means present at birth. In a baby without a congenital heart defect, the right side of the heart pumps oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs, and the left side of the heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body.
What does it mean to have a congenital heart defect?
Congenital means present at birth. In a baby without a congenital heart defect, the right side of the heart pumps oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs, and the left side of the heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body.
How does a hole in the septum affect the heart?
The hole (defect) occurs in the wall (septum) that separates the heart’s lower chambers (ventricles) and allows blood to pass from the left to the right side of the heart. The oxygen-rich blood then gets pumped back to the lungs instead of out to the body, causing the heart to work harder.
What happens if you have a small septal defect?
A small ventricular septal defect may never cause any problems. Medium or large defects can cause a range of disabilities — from mild to life-threatening. Treatment can prevent many complications. Complications can include: Heart failure. In a heart with a medium or large VSD, the heart works harder and the lungs have too much blood pumped to them.