Congenital Heart Disease is a condition when a heart abnormality is present at birth. Its is also known as Congenital Heart Defect. Doctors repair congenital heart defects with catheter procedures or surgery. SIMPLE CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS :
Holes in the Heart (Septal Defects) : 1. Atrial septal defect (ASD) – An ASD is a hole in the part of the septum that separates the atria—the upper chambers of the heart. 2. Ventricular septal defect (VSD) – A VSD is a hole in the part of the septum that separates the ventricles—the lower chambers of the heart.
Narrowed Valves : Simple congenital heart defects also can involve the heart’s valves. These valves control the flow of blood from the atria to the ventricles and from the ventricles into the two large arteries connected to the heart (the aorta and the pulmonary artery). The most common valve defect is pulmonary valve stenosis, which is a narrowing of the pulmonary valve.
CHD Treatment & Surgeries
Catheter Procedures : Catheter procedures are much easier on patients than surgery. They involve only a needle puncture in the skin where the catheter (thin, flexible tube) is inserted into a vein or an artery. Doctors don’t have to surgically open the chest or operate directly on the heart to repair the defect(s). This means that recovery may be easier and quicker.
Open Heart Surgery: Sometimes certain heart defects require the chest be opened in order to make repairs or, in rare cases, to make a heart transplant.