Ventricular septal defect post-surgical prognosis

and Leida Perez, M.D.

Associate Editor-In-Chief: Keri Shafer, M.D. [mailto:kshafer@bidmc.harvard.edu], Priyamvada Singh, MBBS

Post-operative Treatment
Post-operative course:


 * The operative mortality for an elective repair is less than 2%.


 * It is increased by the presence of associated anomalies, multiple defects, or if there is severe pulmonary hypertension.


 * Late follow-up shows that their life expectancy is restored to that of age matched controls (except in those over the age of three with severe pulmonary hypertension).


 * There is a residual defect in 14% to 25% of patients which is hemodynamically insignificant


 * A persistent RBBB in the majority of patients due to disruption of the Purkinje fibers.


 * In patients over 3 at the time of the operation, there is often residual and progressive pulmonary hypertension and or residual ventricular dysfunction.


 * The risk of endocarditis following closure is similar to that in the general population. Because small defects are frequent, antibiotic prophylaxis is still recommended.