How to treat severe ventricular septal defect in newborns?

Severe ventricular septal defects in newborns require immediate medical intervention. The main treatment methods include drug therapy, surgical repair and interventional therapy. 1) Drug therapy: often used to relieve symptoms and stabilize the condition; 2) Surgical repair: usually the final solution for severe defects; 3) Interventional therapy: has better effects for certain specific types of defects.

1) Drug treatment: Ventricular septal defect in newborns usually leads to increased cardiac load, and the main purpose of drug treatment is to reduce the burden on the heart. Commonly used drugs include cardiotonic agents such as digoxin, diuretics such as furosemide, and ACE inhibitors such as captopril. These drugs improve heart function by enhancing heart contractility, reducing excess fluid in the body, and lowering blood pressure. However, drug treatment can only temporarily relieve symptoms and cannot fundamentally solve the defect problem.

2) Surgical repair: For severe ventricular septal defects, surgical repair is an essential treatment method. The surgery is usually performed in infancy or early childhood, and the appropriate surgical plan is selected according to the severity and location of the defect. Common surgeries include open-chest repair, which is to suture or cover the defect with a patch under direct vision. Another method is minimally invasive endocardial fenestration, in which a patch is implanted into the defect through a cardiac catheter. Surgical repair can usually effectively cure ventricular septal defects and improve the quality of life of children with the defect.

3) Interventional therapy: Interventional therapy through cardiac catheterization is another effective option for certain types of ventricular septal defects. This method uses percutaneous puncture to introduce a special occluder into the defect site through a cardiac catheter to achieve the purpose of repair. Interventional therapy is less invasive and has a faster recovery. It is suitable for cases with moderate defect size and relatively smooth and clear edges.

When the ventricular septal defect of a newborn is severe, appropriate treatment plans need to be adopted in a timely manner, combined with medication, surgical repair or interventional treatment to achieve the best treatment effect. Early medical diagnosis and the formulation of individualized treatment plans play a vital role in improving the condition. If relevant symptoms are found in the newborn, medical treatment should be sought in time, and professional diagnosis and treatment should be received to ensure the health and growth of the child. Parents need to pay close attention to changes in their children's symptoms, maintain good communication with doctors, and jointly develop and implement appropriate treatment plans.