Cleveland Clinic Children’s checking the heart rate of a baby

Ventricular Septal Defect

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When you heard your new baby has heart issues, you likely had to catch your breath for a second. Or longer. Then, questions and worries probably filled your head.

How could this happen? Can it be treated? What do we need to do? No one wants to learn their baby has health problems — especially a hole in the wall of their heart. A ventricular septal defect (VSD) can be a hard thing to face. But you don’t have to go through it alone. From diagnosis and treatment to helping them grow up healthy, Cleveland Clinic Children’s pediatric heart experts are by your baby’s side at every step.

Together, we’ll manage all your baby’s (and your family’s) needs as we diagnose and treat your baby’s ventricular septal defect. We’ll keep you and your baby at the center of all we do — from putting together a treatment plan just for them to offering services and support to help you throughout this journey.

Why choose Cleveland Clinic Children’s for Ventricular Septal Defect Care?

Caring approach:

We understand you may be overwhelmed after learning your baby has a heart problem. We’ll talk with you about how a VSD might affect your child and what we can do about it. We’re here for every question and concern you have.

Specialized knowledge:

Our pediatric heart specialists and other providers are board-certified and fellowship-trained. This means our team has the skills and knowledge they need to take the best possible care of your baby and all of their needs from diagnosis forward. Meet our team.

Patient-centered care:

At Cleveland Clinic Children’s, we treat your child like they’re our own. They (and your family) are our focus in all that we do. We offer care and support that’s tailored to your baby’s unique needs. And our providers will help you understand what’s happening at each step of your journey.

Virtual visits:

Not all appointments need to be in person. Sometimes you can talk with your baby’s provider online, so you never have to leave home. Virtual visits are a convenient, safe and easy alternative to an in-person appointment. All you need is an internet connection, a smartphone, tablet or computer.

National recognition:

U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Cleveland Clinic Children’s a top hospital in the nation. Newsweek has also named Cleveland Clinic a top hospital in the world.

Ventricular Septal Defect Diagnosis at Cleveland Clinic Children’s

Maybe your baby’s getting fussier. Or they’re not gaining weight, and they often fall asleep while eating. Or maybe your pediatrician has spotted signs of a VSD, like a heart murmur (abnormal swooshing sounds), during a well-baby care visit. Our team will review these symptoms and do a variety of tests, including:

These tests will let us take a closer look at your baby’s heart and the hole in its wall. We’ll use these test results to figure out which type of VSD your baby has. Knowing the type and size of the defect helps us decide how to treat your baby’s VSD.

Providers Who Treat Ventricular Septal Defect

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Ventricular Septal Defect Treatment at Cleveland Clinic Children’s

Not all babies with a VSD need treatment. Some ventricular septal defects close on their own as your child grows. Our healthcare providers consider the type of VSD and its size, as well as the symptoms your child may have, when deciding if your baby needs treatment. If they do, we’ll work with you to craft a plan that keeps your baby’s unique needs in mind.

Observation

If a VSD is small, and your baby has no symptoms, we may recommend observation — keeping a close eye on the condition. We’ll regularly check your baby as they grow to make sure no symptoms develop. We’ll also do regular tests to see if the ventricular septal defect is closing on its own.

Medication

Your baby may need medication to control their VSD symptoms. These may include drugs that help get rid of extra fluid in their bodies, lower their blood pressure and prevent heart failure. We’ll talk with you about which medications your baby might need. And we’ll make sure you know how they work and if there will be any side effects.

Transcatheter

When a large VSD doesn’t close on its own, we may insert a thin, flexible tube (catheter) in your baby’s vein to reach their heart. We’ll then thread a device called an occluder through the catheter into an artery leading to your baby’s heart. The occluder will safely plug the hole and prevent blood from leaking.

Surgery

If your baby has a large VSD and has symptoms, our pediatric cardiologists may recommend heart surgery. During this operation, we’ll give your baby general anesthesia so we can open their chest to close the VSD with stitches or a patch. This surgery will close the hole and restore normal blood flow through their heart.

Feeding

If your child isn’t feeding well or growing as expected, your provider might take special measures to help them thrive better and gain weight. This could include putting them on a special diet with extra calories or using a feeding tube for a while.

Taking the Next Step

Learning that your child has a heart defect may feel overwhelming. When your baby is born with a VSD, our compassionate Cleveland Clinic Children’s pediatric heart specialists offer expert care and support. We’re there for you and your baby from diagnosis and beyond. We’ll keep an eye on your baby as they grow to help manage their symptoms, and we’ll close ventricular septal defects that don’t close on their own. Our team makes sure you have the information and resources you need to care for your child’s unique health needs.