It is the result of a hole in the septum that separates the right and left chambers of the heart. A hole in the heart causes blood to pass through the hole and pass through the lungs again and again, increasing the workload of the heart.
Types of Holes in the Heart
Holes in the heart, also called defects, can occur alone or sometimes with other anomalies in more complex congenital heart diseases. are found together. Below are common examples of holes in the heart.
Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
ASD is a hole between the right and left upper chambers (atrium) of our heart. Blood passes through the left atrium and mixes with blood in the right atrium. Some ASDs close spontaneously. However, medium and large ASD can be closed by interventional or surgical methods.
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
VSD is a hole in the heart between the lower chambers of the heart. Due to VSD, some of the blood coming from the lungs is pumped back to the lungs instead of going to the body when the heart contracts. Small VSDs often close on their own. Large VSDs are closed surgically and some are closed interventionally.
Complete Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AVSD)
This is the most severe heart hole. The hole in the heart affects all four chambers. There is a problem in oxygen-rich blood reaching the right place. AVSD is treated only surgically and with a patch. In some cases, more than one surgery may be required.
Tetralogy of Fallot
Sometimes, although there is a hole in the heart, other congenital heart diseases may also occur. In tetralogy of Fallot, 4 separate defects coexist. These are large VSD, right ventricular hypertrophy, aortic vessel displaced on the VSD, and Pulmonary valve stenosis that prevents blood pumping into the lung vessel.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
PDA, simply put, is a hole in the aortic vessel. While in the womb, the function of this hole is to bypass the baby's lungs. It ensures that the oxygenated blood from the mother is sent directly to the baby's body without the blood passing through the baby's lungs. As soon as the baby is born, it uses its own lungs and there is no need for the hole and it closes.
If this hole or vascular structure does not close, it is called patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
Complex Heart Diseases
It is the same in many congenital heart diseases such as single ventricle, great artery transposition, tricuspid atresia. There is also a hole in the heart, such as VSD and ASD.
What Causes a Hole in the Heart?
The exact cause is unknown, but it is thought that more than one factor plays a role (multifactorial). It is accepted that there is both environmental and genetic interaction. Congenital heart disease is detected at significant rates in genetic diseases such as Down syndrome and Turner syndrome. Uncontrolled diabetes during pregnancy and the use of certain medications during pregnancy increase the risk.
What are the Symptoms of a Hole in the Heart?
Symptoms in babies and children vary depending on the age of the child and the type and size of the hole in the heart. Sometimes the symptoms are very vague and faint. It cannot be noticed for years and is diagnosed in adulthood. Sometimes, symptoms begin in the first days of life. There may be complaints of bruising, fatigue while sucking, not sucking well, frequent breathing, inability to weigh oneself, excessive sweating, decreased exercise capacity in older children, fatigue quickly, chest pain, fainting, and palpitations.
How is a Hole in the Heart Diagnosed?< br /> If there is a hole in the heart, the most noticeable finding during the routine examination of the doctor is the hearing of a murmur.
Sometimes, the symptoms attract attention and a referral is made to a pediatric cardiologist. The most important tools in the diagnosis process are electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography (ECHO). Many questions can be answered with ECHO, such as whether there is a hole in the heart, what type it is, where it is in the heart, its size and its effects on circulation.
Sekundum ASD Echo Video
Perimembranous VSD. Echo Video Midmuscular VSD Echo Video Inlet VSD Echo Video Apical VSD Echo Video
Hole in the Heart Treatment
Not every hole in the heart is treated. Small holes do not cause clinical problems. If the hole in the heart is large, heart failure develops. The functions of the heart are supported by medical treatment, that is, by giving medication. The nutrition of babies who are not developing well is supplemented with high energy foods. If large holes are not treated, over time, they cause increased blood pressure in the lung vessels, that is, the development of pulmonary hypertension. When pulmonary hypertension lasts for a long time, it causes irreversible damage to the lung vessels. When this condition called Eisenmenger syndrome develops, the possibility of surgery disappears.
Surgical closure is open heart surgery. Large holes are closed by sewing a patch. In non-surgical heart closure, the heart is closed without being stopped, It is done using r. The patient is discharged 1-2 days after the procedure. After a while, the device placed in the hole is covered with the body's own tissue.
In the non-surgical closure method, the device used to close the defect is advanced to the heart with a catheter and placed to close the defect.
Read: 0
