Congenital Cardiovascular Defect

A congenital cardiovascular defect may occur prior to birth. It means that either the heart or blood vessels near the heart have not fully developed. Thus, there is a distinguishable difference between a cardiovascular defect and cardiovascular disease.

Statistics show that the more common defects that occur among newborns are atrioventricular septal defects, coarctation of the aorta, tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the arteries, ventricular defects, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

The most common among the aforementioned defects occurs when a hole in the heart appears in the wall that separates both sides of the heart. This is known as a septal defect.

While the appearance of a defect affects only one percent of newborns, scientists and researchers cannot pinpoint the exact cause. Although some experts have determined that viral diseases, alcohol, and some prescription and/or over-the-counter drugs may contribute to this defect, there are no definitive answers.

In addition, cardiovascular defects may appear in the form of obstructions, commonly referred to as stenosis. These may include pulmonary stenosis, aortic stenosis, coarctation of the aorta, bicuspid aortic valve, subaortic stenosis, and Ebstein’s anomaly.

Cyanotic defects occur when there isn’t enough oxygen in the blood. Cyanotic defects may include tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries, tricuspid atresia, pulmonary atresia, truncus arteriosus, and total anomalous pulmonary venous.

If a newborn has a hole in the heart, and depending upon its size, surgery may be required. For example, if the hole is small and it does not cause any undue damage to the heart, a heart murmur may be the only resulting abnormality.

However, if the hole is large then surgery would result when the baby is a little older (around nine months of age). The surgery would not only repair the defect, but bring about normal blood flow to the heart. The child would need regular check-ups throughout his or her lifespan, and the prognosis is better than good.

Today, babies who are born with heart defects have a greater chance of surviving and living a normal life than ever before. Due to diagnostic and surgical advances, most of the defects that occur can be repaired. Research is on-going to address other types of congenital cardiovascular defects as well.