Ventricular
Septal Defect
Sadie Foster
Pathophysiology
Ventricular septal defect (VSD), is a hole in
the heart that’s congenital or present at
birth. The hole occurs in the wall that
separates the heart's lower 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.
Diagnosis
Auscultation of a heart murmur heard by the doctor may
conclude in he or she ordering several tests including:
Echocardiogram
Chest X-ray
Electrocardiogram
Pulse oximetry
Cardiac catheterization
Signs & Symptoms
Ventricular septal defect (VSD) symptoms in an infant may
include:
Poor Eating
Failure to Thrive
Easy Tiring
Breathlessness
Cyanosis
Treatments
Diuretics
Surgical repair
Catheter procedure
The goal of
The surgery requires a
Doctor inserts a
medication is to
heart-lung machine and
catheter into a blood
decrease the amount
an incision in the chest.
vessel in the groin and
of fluid in circulation
The doctor uses a patch
guides it to the heart,
and in the lungs.
or stitches to close the
then uses a mesh
hole.
device to close the hole.
Prognosis
When this hole is large enough, the amount of blood leaking between the
chambers can cause permanent damage to your heart and lungs and increase
the risk of heart infections. However most VSDs don’t cause symptoms and
close on their own by age 6.
Nursing DX & Intervention
Activity intolerance r/t
Altered tissue perfusion r/t
Risk of injury r/t Cardiac
Imbalance between oxygen
inadequate CO
function compromised by
congenital defects
supply and demand
blood pressure, pulse rate, rhythm and
Encourage rest periods and assistance O2 within stable range for patient
with ADL’s
Early identification of S/S of
complications allows preventive
measures and adjustments to be made
What is Ventricular septal defect defined as? SATA
A.) A hole in the the heart wall
B.) Affects oxygenation of blood
C.) Has a poor prognosis
D.) Cannot be treated with diuretics
E.) Heart murmur upon auscultation
How long does it typically take for Ventricular Septal
Defect to close on it’s own?
A.) Never
B.) Age 6
C.) With birth
D.) Age 13