Abstract

OSORIO GóNGORA, Luis  and  SILOT OLIVEROS, Dianeyis. Ventricular Septal Defect: a Literature Review. Medisur [online]. 2011, vol.9, n.6, pp.563-570. ISSN 1727-897X.

Congenital heart defects occur in approximately eight of every 1000 live births. Ventricular septal defect occupies a large percentage of them and is the most commonly associated with chromosomal syndromes presenting multifactorial etiology. In 1879, Roger was the first to define the underlying clinical signs. New milestones in its history are marked by Einsenmenger, Dalrymple, Heath and Edwards. In 1979, the use of two-dimensional echocardiography in real time, dramatically improved non-invasive anatomical diagnosis. The main pathophysiologic alteration is part of the injuries that produce volume overload and left to right short-circuit. It is a model for the study of anatomical and physiological relationship in the different injuries that allow communication between the pulmonary and systemic circuits. The imperfections of the sites of origin of the interventricular septum result in different types of ventricular septal defects. The most commonly used classification is the anatomical, from Soto. Homodynamic effects after birth depend on the physiological changes of systemic and pulmonary circulation, as well as on the diameter of the hole. The clinical case depends on the defect and the pulmonary and vascular resistance. The diagnosis is clinical and echocardiographic. Treatment is medical, palliative, surgical and with rehabilitation. Currently, rehabilitation is approached as an essential part of care and therapy.

Keywords : heart septal defects ventricular; heart defects congenital; diagnosis; echocardiography; cardiac surgical procedures; rehabilitation.