Septal Defects
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Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AV CANAL)
The septae are the walls that develop during gestation that separate the right and left atria (Atrial septum) and the right and left ventricles (ventricular septum). Defects in the septum wall or "holes" may allow for abnormal passage of blood flow, which can cause the heart to become abnormally enlarged. Often children with Atrial Septal defects are asymptomatic, although the right atrium of the heart may be enlarged when visualized on the echocardiogram or chest X-ray. The symptoms associated with ventricular Septal defects and the Atrioventricular defects are difficult feeding, rapid breathing, as well as slow weight gain. Surgical intervention can reverse these symptoms over time. Often the child's appetite improves a day or two after surgery. The surgery is curative.
There are three types of defects that may occur:

Atrial Septal Defect or "ASD" is a hole between the right and left atria. The operation is performed through a midline sternotomy incision. The right atrium is opened and the hole is sewn closed.





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Ventricular Septal Defect or "VSD" is a hole between the right and left ventricles. It is repaired by making a midline incision as described above, opening the heart, and sewing in a patch of Gore-Tex to close the defect.




Click here to see a picture of an actual VSD being closed in the operating room
(note: this is a picture taken during surgery and so might be disturbing for some people)
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Atrioventricular Septal Defect or "AV Canal" encompasses a combination of defects. Usually the Atrial septum, the ventricular septum, and the atrioventrular, or mitral valve are affected. Surgery is curative. The procedure involves closing the Atrial Septal defect with a patch made from the child's own pericardium, closing the ventricular Septal defect with a patch of Gore-Tex, and repairing the valve if it is abnormal.


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