A heart defect in which there is an unnatural opening in the wall of the tissue that divides the heart into right and left sides.
A congenital condition in which a hole exists in the wall between the left and right sides of the heart allowing an excessive amount of blood to flow through the lungs, leading in severe cases to pulmonary hypertension and sometimes heart failure.
Congenital abnormality in the wall (septum) separating the left and right sides of the heart. It may occur between the two atria (atrial septal defect) or between the two ventricles (ventricular septal defect). The defect allows abnormal circulation of blood and causes numerous symptoms, depending on its location and size.
A hole in the partition (septum) between the left and right halves of the heart. This abnormal communication is congenital due to an abnormality of heart development in the fetus. It may be found between the two atria (atrial septal defect) or between the ventricles (ventricular septal defect). A septal defect permits abnormal circulation of blood from the left side of the heart, where pressures are higher, to the right. This abnormal circulation is called a shunt and results in excessive blood flow through the lungs. Pulmonary hypertension develops and heart failure may occur with large shunts. A heart murmur is normally present. Large defects are closed surgically but small defects do not require treatment.
A congenital abnormality of the heart affecting about 260 babies in every 100,000, in which there is a hole in the septum the dividing wall between the left and right sides of the heart. The effects of the defect depend upon its size and position. A defect in the wall between the atria (upper chambers of the heart) is called an atrial septal defect, and that between the ventricles, a ventricular septal defect the most common form (25 per cent of all defects). Both defects allow blood to circulate from the left side of the heart, where pressures are highest, to the right. This abnormal flow of blood is described as a ‘shunt’ and the result is that too much blood flows into the lungs. Pulmonary hypertension occurs and, if the shunt is large, heart failure may develop. A small septal defect may not need treatment, but a large one will need to be repaired surgically.
A defect in one or more of the septa between the heart chambers.
Apertures within the septum, the muscular barrier that divides the right and left sections of the heart, can manifest as two distinct types. Atrial septal defects are characterized by openings between the upper chambers of the heart, whereas ventricular septal defects entail openings between the lower chambers.
A congenital heart anomaly where there exists an opening in the septum, the partition between the heart’s left and right sides. This opening can occur either in the atrial (upper) or ventricular (lower) chambers. Referred to as a “hole in the heart,” a septal defect’s impact varies based on its size and type. Typically, the cause remains unknown.
If the opening is located in the septum dividing the two ventricles, the condition is referred to as a ventricular septal defect. When the opening is situated in the septum between the two atria, it is termed an atrial septal defect. In either case, the opening permits a portion of oxygenated blood from the left side of the heart (which supplies tissues throughout the body) to enter the right side, mingling with deoxygenated blood and recirculating through the lungs.
Certain children are born with both forms of the defect. Each type might also coincide with one or more supplementary heart irregularities and/or other congenital anomalies.
A minor defect usually has minimal impact. However, a significant ventricular opening could lead to heart failure within six to eight weeks after birth, resulting in symptoms like difficulty breathing, feeding challenges, paleness, and perspiration. For a substantial atrial defect, heart failure might develop around the age of 30, or there could be no heart failure at all, but exertion could cause fatigue. Both types of defects may lead to pulmonary hypertension (elevated blood pressure in the lung arteries), with a higher likelihood if a large ventricular defect is present.
In cases of a ventricular defect, there exists a minor risk of endocarditis (inflammation of the heart’s lining); for atrial septal defects, atrial fibrillation (irregular and rapid atrial heartbeat) may develop after the age of 30.
Diagnosis can be assisted through procedures like chest X-rays, ECG, or echocardiography. Surgical repair of atrial defects is considered if they lead to symptoms or complications. Small ventricular defects often shrink or close naturally as the child grows. In cases where a ventricular defect causes heart failure, medications like diuretics are used. If the hole doesn’t close on its own, it can be mended through open-heart surgery, typically before the child enters school. This procedure has a high success rate, and most children go on to lead regular lives.