Pathology
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Fetopathology and developmental pathology of the embryo and fetus
Marta Ježová, Josef Feit et al.
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Ventricular septal defects
Clinical signs

Defects of the ventricular septum are the most frequent heart defects (they form 40% of all heart defects). The defects are isolated or a part of complex heart malformations.

The defect leads to left-to-right shunt and its severity of the clinical symptoms is directly proportional to the size of the defect. Small defects, muscular in particular, are well tolerated. Spontaneous closure is quite common in these small defects.

Classification

Ventricular septal defects according to localisation:

  • Perimembranous: viewed from the left ventricle they are located inferior to the aorta, obscured by the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve in the right ventricle. The most common type of defect.
  • Muscular: in the septal trabeculisation, often multiple
  • Subarterial (infundibular): in the outlet tract of the ventricles
Pictures

Perimembranous ventricular septal defect, trisomy 18, 26-week fetus: Defect of the interventricular septum, trisomy 18, Macro, autopsy (72054)

Perimembranous ventricular septal defect, 28-week fetus, view from the left atrium: Defect of the interventricular perimembranous septum, viewed from the left ventricle, Macro, autopsy (72051)

Perimembranous ventricular septal defect, 28-week fetus, view form the right atrium: Defect of the interventricular perimembranous septum, viewed from the right ventricle, Macro, autopsy (72052)

Infundibular septal defect in tricuspid atresia, 24-week fetus: Defect of ventricular septum, infundibular atresia of the tricuspid valve, Macro, autopsy (72053)