What is the most severe congenital heart defect?

The most serious congenital heart defects are called critical congenital heart defects (also called critical CHDs). Babies with critical CHDs need surgery or other treatment within the first year of life. Without treatment, critical CHDs can be deadly.

What is a complex congenital heart disease?

Complex congenital heart disease refers to a group of heart defects present at birth. These defects occur when the heart doesn’t develop properly in the womb. Our surgeons have experience treating all types of congenital heart defects, from common and mild to rare and severe.

Is VSD genetic?

The genetic etiology of VSD is complex and extraordinarily heterogenous. Chromosomal abnormalities such as aneuploidy and structural variations as well as rare point mutations in various genes have been reported to be associated with this cardiac defect.

What are risk factors for congenital heart diseases?

Certain environmental and genetic risk factors might play a role in the development of congenital heart disease, including:

• Your genes. Congenital heart disease appears to run in families (inherited) and is associated with many genetic syndromes.
• German measles (rubella).
• Diabetes.
• Medications.
• Alcohol.
• Smoking.

How early can congenital heart defects be detected?

Congenital heart disease may initially be suspected during a routine ultrasound scan of the baby in the womb. Specialist ultrasound, called foetal echocardiography, will then be carried out at around 18 to 22 weeks of the pregnancy to try to confirm the exact diagnosis.

What causes VSD fetus?

The most common cause of a VSD is a congenital heart defect, which is a defect from birth. Some people are born with holes already present in their heart. They may cause no symptoms and take years to diagnose. A rare cause of a VSD is severe blunt trauma to the chest.

What is the best treatment for congenital heart disease?

Surgery or other procedures If your child has a severe congenital heart defect, a heart procedure or surgery may be recommended. Heart procedures and surgery done to treat congenital heart defects include: Fetal cardiac intervention.

Is congenital heart defect permanent?

False. There is no cure for CHD. Many people have surgeries to repair their heart, however, they are not cured. There may be long-term effects of heart surgery, such as abnormal heartbeats.

What happens if you have a small PDA in Your Heart?

If the PDA (ductus) is small, it doesn’t make the heart and lungs work harder. Surgery and other treatments may not be needed. Small PDAs often close on their own within the first few months of life.

Why is HLHS considered a critical congenital heart defect?

Because a baby with this defect needs surgery or other procedures soon after birth, HLHS is considered a critical congenital heart defect (CCHD). Hypoplastic left heart syndrome affects a number of structures on the left side of the heart that do not fully develop, for example: The left ventricle is underdeveloped and too small.

How is a left ventricle diaphragm (PDA) closed?

An incision is made in the left side of the chest, between the ribs. The PDA is closed by tying it with suture (thread-like material) or by permanently placing a small metal clip around the PDA to squeeze it closed. Occasionally in the adult, a surgical patch is used. If there’s no other heart defect, this restores the circulation to normal.

What is the best treatment for a pericardial artery disease (PDA)?

Surgery may be the best treatment option for some patients. The surgeon doesn’t have to open the heart to fix the PDA. An incision is made in the left side of the chest, between the ribs. The PDA is closed by tying it with suture (thread-like material) or by permanently placing a small metal clip around the PDA to squeeze it closed.