Hi, thank you for your question. There are various treatments for ventricular septal defects (VSD). Treatment methods include the use of medications and surgery. Medications used to treat VSD include diuretics and beta blockers. Diuretics help to reduce the amount of fluid in the body and decrease the amount of blood that has to be pumped from the heart to other parts of the body. This is to prevent the heart from working too hard. Meanwhile, beta blockers help to keep heart beat regular.

Surgeries to treat VSD mainly involve repairing the opening between the ventricles. There are a few ways to do this. The most common one will be surgical repair. Surgical repair is an open-heart surgery that has to be done under general anaesthesia. A piece of pericardium (lining outside the heart) or fabric is often used to cover the VSD. Repair can also be done through a catheter procedure. A catheter (thin tube) will be inserted into the blood vessel in the groin and moved towards the heart.

A mesh is then used to cover the VSD. Another way of sugery is known as the hybrid procedure. An incision is made to gain access to the heart and a catheter together with a device is used to close the VSD through this incision.

Many infants with small VSD do not need treatment as the VSD usually closes on its own. However, if they have medium or large VSD which is causing problems, they may need surgery. Surgical treatment is often done within the first few months. Medications can be used to relieve the symptoms, but they do not close the VSD or prevent complications of VSD. Infants who are very ill may also need extra nutrition or tube feeding to help them grow.

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