Septal Defects

• Ventricular Septal Defect


  This is characterized by abnormal opening between the left and right ventricles.
• Ventricular Septal Defect

  Signs and Symptoms:

  • systolic murmur at the lower border of the sternum
  • increase O2 at the right side of the heart
  • Hypertrophy at the right side of the heart
• Atrial Septal Defect


  Failure of the foramen ovale (between the atrium) to close
• Atrial Septal Defect

  Normally: Forman Ovale closes withing 24 hours after birth up to 3 months to 1 year
• Atrial Septal Defect

  Best position: Right side-lying (to increase pressure at the right side of the heart
• Atrial Septal Defect

  Signs and symptoms:

  • systolic murmur at the upper border of sternum
  • decrease O2 at the right side of the heart
  • hypertrophy at the right side of the heart
• Management of Septal Defects

  • Long term antibiotics: Pen G +Na (to prevent subacute bacterial endocarditis)
  • Open heart surgery = "Dacron Patch" (6 months to 1 year)
  • Administer Digoxin (to strengthen heart contractions)
  • SE: Decrease heart rate
  • Antidote: Digibind