Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) Repair
What is Ventricular Septal Defect?
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Why do you need VSD Repair ?
A VSD allows blood to shunt from the left ventricle (high-pressure, oxygen-rich) to the right ventricle (low-pressure, oxygen-poor), increasing the workload on the heart and lungs. Small VSDs may close spontaneously, but larger defects or those causing symptoms require intervention. VSD repair is indicated for:
- Symptomatic VSDs: Heart failure, poor growth, or recurrent lung infections in infants/children.
- Large VSDs: Causing significant shunting or pulmonary hypertension.
- Preventive repair: To avoid long-term complications like endocarditis or heart enlargement, even in asymptomatic cases.
Why Do VSD Repair Costs Vary in Philippines?
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VSD Repair Procedure
The procedure is tailored to the patient’s age, VSD size/location, and overall health:
- Before Procedure Evaluation:
- Diagnosis is confirmed via echocardiogram, which visualizes the VSD’s size, location (e.g., perimembranous, muscular), and impact on heart function.
- Cardiac catheterization may assess pulmonary pressures or associated defects.
- Chest X-rays, ECG, and blood tests evaluate heart and lung health.
- Infants with heart failure may receive medications (e.g., diuretics, digoxin) to stabilize them before surgery.
- Repair Techniques:
- Open-Heart Surgery:
- The standard approach, performed under general anesthesia, lasting 2–4 hours.
- A median sternotomy (chest bone incision) provides access to the heart, using a heart-lung bypass machine to maintain circulation.
- The VSD is closed with a synthetic patch (e.g., Dacron) or sutures, depending on size and location.
- Common for large or complex VSDs, especially perimembranous or inlet types.
- Catheter-Based Closure (Device Closure):
- A minimally invasive procedure for select muscular VSDs, performed in a catheterization lab under sedation or general anesthesia, lasting 1–2 hours.
- A catheter is inserted through a vein (usually in the groin), guiding a closure device (e.g., Amplatzer occluder) to the VSD, which plugs the hole.
- Preferred for smaller, centrally located muscular VSDs in patients unsuitable for surgery or with high surgical risk.
- Not suitable for perimembranous VSDs near the aortic or tricuspid valves.
- Hybrid Approach:
- Combines surgical and catheter techniques in select cases, performed in a hybrid operating room, but is less common.
- Open-Heart Surgery:
- After Procedure:
- Open-heart surgery patients are monitored in the pediatric ICU for 1–3 days, with a hospital stay of 5–7 days.
- Catheter-based closure patients stay 1–2 days, often with no ICU requirement.
- Follow-up echocardiograms confirm VSD closure and normal heart function.
- Medications (e.g., aspirin for device closure, diuretics for heart recovery) may be prescribed short-term.
Recovery After VSD Repair
Recovery depends on the procedure, patient’s age, and health:
- Hospital Stay:
- Open-heart surgery requires 5–7 days, including 1–3 days in the ICU.
- Catheter-based closure involves 1–2 days, with minimal or no ICU time.
- Post-Procedure Care:
- Pain is managed with medications (e.g., paracetamol, opioids initially for surgery).
- Patients are monitored for arrhythmias, residual leaks, or device issues (in catheter closure) via echocardiograms and ECGs.
- Antiplatelets (e.g., aspirin) are prescribed for 6 months after device closure to prevent clots.
- Antibiotics prevent infection, especially endocarditis, post-surgery.
- Activity and Diet:
- For surgical patients, light activities (e.g., walking) resume within weeks; strenuous activities (e.g., sports) are avoided for 3–6 months.
- Catheter closure patients resume normal activities in 1–2 weeks, with restrictions on heavy exercise for 4–6 weeks.
- Infants and children return to normal feeding (breast milk, formula, or solids) as tolerated, with a focus on weight gain and growth.
- Follow-Up:
- Follow-up visits at 1, 3, and 6 months include echocardiograms to confirm VSD closure and heart function.
- Lifelong cardiology follow-ups (annually or as advised) monitor for complications like endocarditis or valve issues.
- Endocarditis prophylaxis (antibiotics before dental procedures) is recommended.
Most children recover fully within 2–6 months, with significant improvements in growth, energy, and oxygenation. Success rates are 95–98%, with most patients leading normal lives post-repair.
Risks and Complications
VSD repair is generally safe but carries risks:
- Surgical Risks:
- Bleeding, infection, or adverse reactions to anesthesia.
- Injury to the heart’s conduction system, causing arrhythmias or requiring a pacemaker (rare).
- Catheter-Based Risks:
- Device embolization or malposition, requiring surgical retrieval.
- Vascular complications at the catheter insertion site.
- General Risks:
- Residual VSD leaks, usually small and manageable without re-intervention.
- Heart failure or pulmonary hypertension if repair is delayed in large VSDs.
- Long-Term Issues:
- Aortic or tricuspid valve regurgitation, particularly with perimembranous VSDs, requiring monitoring.
- Endocarditis, preventable with good oral hygiene and prophylaxis.
Prompt reporting of symptoms like fever, fatigue, or irregular heartbeats ensures timely management.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes a ventricular septal defect?
VSDs are congenital, often due to improper heart development during pregnancy. Genetic factors (e.g., Down syndrome) or maternal conditions (e.g., diabetes) may contribute.
Can a VSD close on its own?
Small VSDs (especially muscular types) may close spontaneously by age 2–5, but large or symptomatic VSDs typically require repair.
Is catheter-based closure better than open-heart surgery?
Catheter closure is less invasive with faster recovery but is suitable only for specific muscular VSDs. Surgery is preferred for larger or complex defects.
How soon can my child resume normal activities?
Surgical patients resume light activities in 4–6 weeks and sports in 3–6 months; catheter closure patients resume normal activities in 1–2 weeks.
Is VSD repair covered by insurance in India?
Most insurance plans cover VSD repair if medically necessary. Confirm with your provider.
What are the signs of complications post-repair?
Fever, fatigue, swelling, or irregular heartbeats require immediate medical attention.
Can adults with VSD undergo repair?
Yes, adults with unrepaired VSDs can undergo repair at centers like Apollo or Fortis, though risks are higher if pulmonary hypertension has developed.
Will my child need lifelong restrictions after VSD repair?
Most children lead normal lives post-repair, with no major restrictions, though regular cardiology follow-ups are advised.
Conclusion
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Looking for Best Hospitals for Ventricular Septal Defect
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
We do not promote any hospitals. All details are sourced from Google and hospital websites. Please verify independently. Start with your surgery—here’s the list of government, budget, and superspecialty hospitals accredited by the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₱) | Maximum Price (₱) |
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Angeles City |
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Antipolo |
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Bacolod |
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Bacoor |
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Baguio |
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Butuan |
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Cagayan de Oro |
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Caloocan |
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Cebu City |
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Dasmariñas |
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Davao City |
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General Santos |
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General Trias |
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Iligan |
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Iloilo City |
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Las Piñas |
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Makati |
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Malolos |
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Manila |
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Muntinlupa |
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Parañaque |
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Pasay |
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Pasig |
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Puerto Princesa |
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Quezon City |
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San Fernando |
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San Jose del Monte |
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Taguig |
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Valenzuela |
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Zamboanga City |
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Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.