[Ventricular septal defects in the adult].
Ventricular septal defects (VSD) are very common in children but much rarer in adults because the majority either close spontaneously or are operated. The persistent VSD are usually membranous with a small or moderate shunt without pulmonary hypertension. They are usually well tolerated clinically but are at risk of complications, mainly bacterial endocarditis and aortic regurgitation. Doppler echocardiography plays a leading part in diagnosing the site and evaluating the left-to-right shunt and its complications. Surgery may be indicated in cases of large left-to-right shunt (QP/QS > 2) and when there are complications. Patients operated for VSD in childhood are usually considered to be cured. However, anatomical, haemodynamic, functional, electric and echocardiographic abnormalities may persist, justifying long-term cardiological follow-up.
Chantepie
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Hôpital Gatien de Clocheville, service de pédiatrie A, 49, boulevard Béranger, 37044 Tours.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D013504:Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures; D002648:Child; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology*; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors