Echocardiography identifies and quantifies the VSD. If the shunt is significant or symptoms are present, cathe-terization should be performed to determine the pressure and blood flow in the pulmonary artery. With larger shunts, elective surgery is usually advised before the child enters school.
In all patients with VSDs, it is necessary to enforce prophylactic antibiotic therapy before dental and other minor surgical procedures. Antibiotics prevent the growth of organisms that attach to the wall of the heart at the site of the VSD. This dangerous condition is called infective endocarditis. Although small defects cause no symptoms and may never require surgery, endocarditis can occur at the site of the defect and prophylaxis is lifesaving.

Страницы: 1 | 2 | 3