You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page.
Turn on more accessible mode
Turn off more accessible mode
Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Turn off Animations
Turn on Animations
CTDetailNew
It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again.
Appointment
Find a Condition or Treatment
Find a Doctor
Menu
MAIN
Back to Home
About Us
Corporate Profile
Newsroom
Procurement
Contact Us
Patient Care
Conditions & Treatments
Specialties & Services
Your Clinic Visit
Your Hospital Stay
Visitor Information
E-Services
Research & Innovation
About NHRIS
Our Researchers
Clinical Trials
SingHealth Research
Education & Training
Undergraduate
Residency
Continuing Education
Fellowships
Events & Courses
Healthcare Partners
Careers
Why Choose Us
Career Choices
Sponsorships & Scholarships
Job Opportunities
Contact Us
Giving
Why Give
Get Involved
Your Gift at Work
Make a Gift
Conditions & Treatments
Back to Home
Patient Education
Find a Doctor
Find a Medicine
Specialties & Services
Back to Home
Cardiology
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Cardiac Radiology
Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia
Clinical Outcomes
Community Heart Programme
Our Commitment to Patients
Your Clinic Visit
Back to Home
Sub-speciality Clinics
Preparing for Your Consultation
Outpatient Charges
Medications for NHCS Patients
Visitor Information
Health Buddy App
Patient Classification
Your Hospital Stay
Back to Home
Pre-admission Procedure
During Your Stay
Visitor Information
Inpatient Charges
Visitor Information
Back to Home
Getting to NHCS
Moving around NHCS
Visiting a patient
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Us
Feedback Form
E-Services
Back to Home
Make/Change Appointment
Medicines Order Service
Payments
Social Support & Financial Assistance
Tele-Consultation
Home
to skip to the main content on a page
to skip to the main content on a page
About Us
Back to Home
Corporate Profile
Overview
Key Milestones
Awards & Achievements
Key Figures
Vision, Mission & Core Values
Personal Data Protection Act
Newsroom
News Articles
News Releases
Publications
Stories from the Heart
Murmurs
Procurement
Contact Us
Feedback Form
Check Fake News
Patient Care
Back to Home
Conditions & Treatments
Patient Education
Find a Doctor
Find a Medicine
Specialties & Services
Cardiology
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Cardiac Radiology
Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia
Clinical Outcomes
Community Heart Programme
Our Commitment to Patients
Your Clinic Visit
Sub-speciality Clinics
Preparing for Your Consultation
Outpatient Charges
Medications for NHCS Patients
Visitor Information
Health Buddy App
Patient Classification
Your Hospital Stay
Pre-admission Procedure
During Your Stay
Visitor Information
Inpatient Charges
Visitor Information
Getting to NHCS
Moving around NHCS
Visiting a patient
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Us
E-Services
Make/Change Appointment
Medicines Order Service
Payments
Social Support & Financial Assistance
Tele-Consultation
Research & Innovation
Back to Home
About NHRIS
About Us
Platforms and Resources
Clinical and Admin Support
Our Researchers
Clinical Trials
Research Recruitment
SingHealth Research
Education & Training
Back to Home
Undergraduate
Residency
Continuing Education
Doctors
For General Practitioners (GP)
Nurses
Public
Fellowships
Fellowships
Overseas Fellowship Alumni
Additional Information
Events & Courses
Singapore LIVE
Healthcare Partners
Careers
Back to Home
Why Choose Us
Career Choices
Sponsorships & Scholarships
Job Opportunities
Contact Us
Giving
Back to Home
Why Give
Get Involved
Heart To Heart Gala
Your Gift at Work
Make a Gift
Home
>
Patient Care
>
Conditions and Treatment
>
Ventricular Septal Defect
>
Treatment
Facebook
WhatsApp
Email Us
share
Font Resize
A-
A
A+
Print
Ventricular Septal Defect
Ventricular Septal Defect - Treatments
There are various ways to treat a ventricular septal defect (VSD) depending on the type, size and severity of the defect. Small VSDs that are not causing symptoms can be left to close on their own though frequent check-ups will have to be conducted to ensure that there are no further complications. However, a larger VSD might require further intervention in the form of medications or surgical procedures. Additionally, some babies with VSD may not feed well and will need additional nutrition to help them grow.
Medications
Medications can be prescribed to treat the symptoms of
heart failure
that arise due to VSD. These medications generally aim to decrease the amount of blood pumped by the heart and the amount of fluid circulating in the body to prevent a build-up of fluid in the lungs. If pulmonary hypertension develops, targeted medication to lower the pulmonary pressures may be considered.
Surgeries or procedures
Closure of small ventricular septal defect (VSD) may not be required if it does not cause enlargement of the heart. However, closure of a large ventricular defect is recommended to prevent serious problems later in life. Other indications for intervention include
infective endocarditis,
double chamber right ventricle and progressive
aortic regurgitation.
1) Open-heart surgery
This usually involves stopping the patient’s heart temporarily and connecting them to a heart-lung machine which performs the heart’s pumping function. The surgeon will then use stitches or patches to close the hole.
2)
Cardiac catheterisation
This technique does not involve opening the patient’s chest. The doctor will insert a catheter (thin tube) into a blood vessel and guide it into the heart. The doctor then closes the hole with a specialised mesh device.
After device or surgical closure, the patient will still require regular follow-up by his/her cardiologist.
Ventricular Septal Defect - Preparing for surgery
Ventricular Septal Defect - Post-surgery care
Display Entire Article +
Diagnosis
Other Information
Tags:
Adult Congenital Heart Disease,
Heart Failure
Article contributed by
Department of Cardiology
,
National Heart Centre Singapore
The information provided is not intended as medical advice.
Terms of use
. Information provided by
Our Breast Team
Filter:
By designation or sub-specialty
By Designation:
By Sub-Specialty:
TOP
[{"SHPageId":"2637","BodyPart":"#Heart#","BodyPartLst":["heart"],"Institution":null,"SHDoctorConditionsTreatments":"#Coronary Artery Disease / Coronary Heart Disease#, #Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD)#, #Heart Attack (Chest Pain)#, #Atrial Septal Defect#, #Bicuspid Aortic Valve#, #Coarctation of the Aorta#, #Ebstein\u0027s Anomaly#, #Fontan Operation#, #Infective Endocarditis#, #Marfan\u0027s Syndrome#, #Patent Ductus Arteriosus#, #Patent Foramen Ovale#, #Pulmonary Stenosis#, #Tetralogy of Fallot#, #Transposition of the Great Arteries#, #Aneurysm#, #Aortic Dissection#, #Aortic Surgery#, #Aortic Valve Disease#, #Aortic Valve Regurgitation#, #Aortic Valve Repair#, #Aortic Valve Stenosis#, #Atrial Myxoma#, #Cardiac Tamponade#, #Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)#, #Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenator (ECMO)#, #Maze Surgery#, #Mitral Valve Disease#, #Mitral Valve Prolapse#, #Mitral Valve Regurgitation#, #Mitral Valve Stenosis#, #Pectus Excavatum#, #Pericardial Effusion#, #Pericarditis#, #Pulmonary Valve Disease#, #Pulmonary Embolism#, #Tricuspid Valve Disease#, #Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation#, #Valve Repair/Replacement#, #Valvular Heart Disease#, #Eisenmenger Syndrome#, #Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)#","SHDoctorConditionsTreatmentsLst":["coronary artery disease / coronary heart disease","adult congenital heart disease (achd)","heart attack (chest pain)","atrial septal defect","bicuspid aortic valve","coarctation of the aorta","ebstein\u0027s anomaly","fontan operation","infective endocarditis","marfan\u0027s syndrome","patent ductus arteriosus","patent foramen ovale","pulmonary stenosis","tetralogy of fallot","transposition of the great arteries","aneurysm","aortic dissection","aortic surgery","aortic valve disease","aortic valve regurgitation","aortic valve repair","aortic valve stenosis","atrial myxoma","cardiac tamponade","coronary artery bypass graft (cabg)","extra-corporeal membrane oxygenator (ecmo)","maze surgery","mitral valve disease","mitral valve prolapse","mitral valve regurgitation","mitral valve stenosis","pectus excavatum","pericardial effusion","pericarditis","pulmonary valve disease","pulmonary embolism","tricuspid valve disease","tricuspid valve regurgitation","valve repair/replacement","valvular heart disease","eisenmenger syndrome","ventricular septal defect (vsd)"],"SHDoctorAwards":null,"SHDoctorAwardsFullHtml":null,"SHDoctorClinicalDesgDisp":"Consultant","SHDoctorClinicalDesgInstText":"9b7b3341-8e0f-48aa-8d37-d46b0085d6c0|6a115828-2721-4036-9153-7d0eb7b6303f;Consultant|6a115828-2721-4036-9153-7d0eb7b6303f;9b7b3341-8e0f-48aa-8d37-d46b0085d6c0|607a2275-3dee-4aff-8eeb-ff49077be347;Consultant|607a2275-3dee-4aff-8eeb-ff49077be347;","ListSHDoctorClinicalDesgInst":[{"ClinicalDesgName":"Consultant","ClinicalDesgId":"9b7b3341-8e0f-48aa-8d37-d46b0085d6c0","ClinicalDesgInst":"National Heart Centre Singapore","ClinicalDesgInstId":"6a115828-2721-4036-9153-7d0eb7b6303f"}],"ListSHDoctorClinicalDesg":null,"SHDoctorClinicalDesgInstFirst":"Consultant","SHDoctorAltDesgDisp":"","SHDoctorEducation":null,"SHDoctorEducationFullHtml":null,"SHDoctorProfile":null,"SHDoctorProfileFullHtml":null,"SHDoctorResearchInterests":"","SHDoctorResearchInterestsFullHtml":null,"SHDoctorResearchTrials":null,"SHDoctorResearchTrialsFullHtml":null,"SHDoctorProfAppointments":null,"SHDoctorProfAppointmentsFullHtml":"\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eConsultant, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, National Heart Centre Singapore, May 2023 –\u0026#160;Present\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eAssociate Consultant, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, National Heart Centre Singapore, March 2021 – April 2023\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eClinical Instructor, Duke-NUS Medical School, July 2021 - Present\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eFellow of Academy of Medicine, Singapore\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eMember of Heart Failure Society Singapore \u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e","SHDoctorPublications":null,"SHDoctorPublicationsFullHtml":null,"SHQualification":null,"SHQualificationFullHTML":"\u003cp\u003eMBChB, MRCS, FRCS, FAMS \u003c/p\u003e","SHDoctorThumbnailPhotoRender":"/sites/shcommonassets/Assets/doctors/portrait-photos/yap-kok-hoi-portrait.jpg","SHDoctorThumbnailPhoto":{"ImageUrl":"/sites/shcommonassets/Assets/doctors/thumbnail-photos/yap-kok-hooi-thumbnail.jpg","Hyperlink":"","OpenHyperlinkInNewWindow":false,"Alignment":"","AlternateText":"Dr Yap Kok Hooi from National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS)","BorderWidth":0,"Height":0,"HorizontalSpacing":0,"VerticalSpacing":0,"Width":0},"SHDoctorThumbnailPhotoUrl":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/sites/shcommonassets/Assets/doctors/thumbnail-photos/yap-kok-hooi-thumbnail.jpg","Description":"Dr Yap Kok Hooi from National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS)"},"SHDoctorPortraitPhoto":{"ImageUrl":"/sites/shcommonassets/Assets/doctors/portrait-photos/yap-kok-hoi-portrait.jpg","Hyperlink":"","OpenHyperlinkInNewWindow":false,"Alignment":"","AlternateText":"Dr Yap Kok Hooi from National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS)","BorderWidth":0,"Height":0,"HorizontalSpacing":0,"VerticalSpacing":0,"Width":0},"SHDoctorPortraitPhotoUrl":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/sites/shcommonassets/Assets/doctors/portrait-photos/yap-kok-hoi-portrait.jpg","Description":"Dr Yap Kok Hooi from National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS)"},"Email":"","SHDoctorRole":"Doctor;#","SHDoctorSalutation":"Dr","SHDoctorFirstName":"Kok Hooi","SHDoctorLastName":"Yap","SHDoctorOtherName":"","SHDoctorHideProfile":false,"SHDoctorPrimarySpecialty":"Cardiothoracic Surgery","SHDepartmentLink":null,"SHSpecialtyLink":null,"SHSubSpecialtyLink":null,"ListDoctorAcademic":null,"ListDoctorClinical":[{"SHDoctorClinAppPageItemId":"2637","SHDoctorCorporateDesg":"","SHDoctorClinicalAltDesgText":null,"SHDoctorClinicalDesg":"Consultant","SHDoctorClinicalInst":"National Heart Centre Singapore","SHDoctorClinicalInstLogo":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NHCS-logo.jpg","Description":"/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NHCS-logo.jpg"},"SHDoctorClinicalInstUrl":{"Url":"http://www.nhcs.com.sg","Description":"http://www.nhcs.com.sg"},"SHDoctorClinicalDept":"Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery","SHDoctorClinicalDeptLogo":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NHCS-logo.jpg","Description":"/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NHCS-logo.jpg"},"SHDoctorClinicalDeptUrl":{"Url":"https://www.nhcs.com.sg/patientcare/clinicalspecialtiesservices/cardiothoracicsurgery/Pages/Home.aspx","Description":"https://www.nhcs.com.sg/patientcare/clinicalspecialtiesservices/cardiothoracicsurgery/Pages/Home.aspx"},"SHDoctorClnicApptsFURL":"yap-kok-hooi","SHDoctorClinicalDisplayOrder":1},{"SHDoctorClinAppPageItemId":"2637","SHDoctorCorporateDesg":"","SHDoctorClinicalAltDesgText":null,"SHDoctorClinicalDesg":"Consultant","SHDoctorClinicalInst":"KK Women\u0027s and Children\u0027s Hospital","SHDoctorClinicalInstLogo":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/KKH-logo.jpg","Description":"/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/KKH-logo.jpg"},"SHDoctorClinicalInstUrl":{"Url":"http://www.kkh.com.sg","Description":"http://www.kkh.com.sg"},"SHDoctorClinicalDept":"Cardiothoracic Surgery Service","SHDoctorClinicalDeptLogo":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/KKH-logo.jpg","Description":"/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/KKH-logo.jpg"},"SHDoctorClinicalDeptUrl":{"Url":"http://www.kkh.com.sg/Services/Children/CardiothoracicSurgery/Pages/Home.aspx","Description":"http://www.kkh.com.sg/Services/Children/CardiothoracicSurgery/Pages/Home.aspx"},"SHDoctorClnicApptsFURL":"yap-kok-hooi","SHDoctorClinicalDisplayOrder":2}],"ListDoctorSpecialty":[{"SHSpecialtyLink":"Cardiothoracic Surgery","SHSubSpecialtyLink":"","SHSpecialtyLinkDisplayOrder":1,"SHDoctorSpecPageItemId":"2637","SHDoctorSpecialityFURL":"yap-kok-hooi"}],"ListDoctorInstitution":[{"SHDepartmentLink":"#Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery#","SHDepartmentLogoLink":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NHCS-logo.jpg","Description":"/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NHCS-logo.jpg"},"SHDepartmentUrlLink":{"Url":"https://www.nhcs.com.sg/patientcare/clinicalspecialtiesservices/cardiothoracicsurgery/Pages/Home.aspx","Description":"https://www.nhcs.com.sg/patientcare/clinicalspecialtiesservices/cardiothoracicsurgery/Pages/Home.aspx"},"SHInstitutionLink":"#National Heart Centre Singapore#","SHInstitutionLogoLink":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NHCS-logo.jpg","Description":"/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NHCS-logo.jpg"},"SHInstitutionUrlLink":{"Url":"http://www.nhcs.com.sg","Description":"http://www.nhcs.com.sg"},"SHInstLinkDisplayOrder":1,"SHDoctorInstPageItemId":"2637","SHDoctorInstitutionFURL":"yap-kok-hooi"},{"SHDepartmentLink":"#Cardiothoracic Surgery Service#","SHDepartmentLogoLink":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/KKH-logo.jpg","Description":"/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/KKH-logo.jpg"},"SHDepartmentUrlLink":{"Url":"http://www.kkh.com.sg/Services/Children/CardiothoracicSurgery/Pages/Home.aspx","Description":"http://www.kkh.com.sg/Services/Children/CardiothoracicSurgery/Pages/Home.aspx"},"SHInstitutionLink":"#KK Women\u0027s and Children\u0027s Hospital#","SHInstitutionLogoLink":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/KKH-logo.jpg","Description":"/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/KKH-logo.jpg"},"SHInstitutionUrlLink":{"Url":"http://www.kkh.com.sg","Description":"http://www.kkh.com.sg"},"SHInstLinkDisplayOrder":2,"SHDoctorInstPageItemId":"2637","SHDoctorInstitutionFURL":"yap-kok-hooi"}],"DoctorProfileInstitutionString":null,"DoctorProfileDepartmentString":null,"DoctorProfileSpecialtyString":null,"DoctorProfileSubSpecialtyString":null,"ListDoctorResearchAppointment":[],"DoctorResearchAppointmentItem":null,"StartDate":"\/Date(-62135596800000)\/","Path":"/profile/yap-kok-hooi","LastUpdatedOn":"\/Date(1656576000000)\/","LastUpdatedOnString":"30 June 2022","SHDoctorAcademicProgLogo":null,"SHDoctorAcademicProgURL":null,"SHContentTagType":null,"SingHealthInstitution":"","SingHealthSpecialty":"","TypeOfContent":null,"DoctorFriendlyUrl":"yap-kok-hooi","DoctorSpecialtyFriendlyUrl":null,"SHDoctorResearchEmail":null}]
Related Conditions
Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Heart Failure
View more
Related Medications
Healthy Living Tips
by
View more
Discover articles,videos, and guides afrom Singhealth's resources across the web. These information are collated, making healthy living much easier for everyone.
8 Ways to Lower Risk of Heart Disease
What Is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?
Exercises for Cardiac Patients (Sitting)
Exercises for Cardiac Patients (Standing)
×
SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the updates to your email inbox...
Find a Doctor
Conditions & Treatments
Home
Appointment
E-services