Echocardiographic evaluation of ventricular septal defects

Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) are the most common forms of acyanotic congenital heart disease accounting for 37% of congenital heart disease in children. A VSD is defined by parts of the ventricular septum involved. There are four major types of VSDs: perimembranous, muscular, outlet, and inlet VSDs. Echocardiography is the most important clinical tool to help diagnose and characterize a VSD. Although most VSDs are clinically nonsignificant or close on their own, echocardiography with Doppler and color flow mapping can be used to provide accurate anatomic and hemodynamic evaluation of VSDs in order to determine if surgical or transcatheter-based intervention is needed. Hence, understanding how to use echocardiography to characterize VSDs is of crucial importance when caring for patients with adult congenital heart disease.