Definition

1. Noun:
   • A common congenital heart defect: A "ventricular septal defect" is a type of heart condition present at birth.
   • An abnormal opening in the septum dividing the ventricles: It specifically refers to a hole in the wall (septum) that separates the heart's two lower chambers, the ventricles.
   • Allows blood to pass directly from the left to the right ventricle: This opening causes oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle to mix with oxygen-poor blood in the right ventricle.
   • Large openings may cause congestive heart failure: The severity depends on the defect's size; a large defect can lead to serious complications like heart failure.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The newborn was diagnosed with a ventricular septal defect.
  • A small ventricular septal defect may close on its own during childhood.
  • Surgery is often required to repair a large ventricular septal defect.

Advanced Usage

• Medical Context: The term is primarily used in clinical and medical discussions.
  • Echocardiography is used to assess the size and location of the ventricular septal defect.

Variants and Related Words

• VSD: A common abbreviation for "ventricular septal defect."
  • The doctor noted a VSD on the ultrasound report.
• Congenital heart defect: The broader category of heart conditions present at birth, which includes a ventricular septal defect.
• Atrial septal defect (ASD): A related but different condition involving a hole in the wall between the heart's upper chambers (atria).

Synonyms

• Septal defect (though this is a broader term that can also refer to atrial defects).
• Cardiac septal defect.

Related Phrases

• To have a ventricular septal defect: The common phrasing to indicate someone is affected by this condition.
  • The child was born with a ventricular septal defect.
• To repair a ventricular septal defect: Refers to the surgical or catheter-based procedure to close the hole.
  • The team successfully repaired the ventricular septal defect.

Noun

1. a common congenital heart defect; an abnormal opening in the septum dividing the ventricles allows blood to pass directly from the left to the right ventricle; large openings may cause congestive heart failure