Answered by SecondMedic Expert
Cardiothoracic Surgeon · Cardiac Surgery
Verified
A ventricular septal defect is a hole in the septum between the two ventricles of the heart. This hole allows blood to flow from the left ventricle, which pumps blood to the body, into the right ventricle, which pumps blood to the lungs.
This defect can cause problems because too much blood can flow from the left ventricle to the right ventricle. This can overload the right ventricle and make it difficult for the baby to get enough oxygenated blood. The defect can also cause fluid retention and an accumulation of waste products in different parts of the body.
