About Congenital Septal Defect
Key Highlights
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Corrects abnormal blood flow in the heart, improving oxygenation and reducing strain.Prevents serious long-term complications like pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, or stroke.Offers both minimally invasive (catheter-based) and surgical options tailored to the child's specific defect.Performed by specialized pediatric cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons with expertise in children's hearts.High success rates with most children able to lead normal, active lives post-recovery.
Who is this surgery for?
- A diagnosed atrial septal defect (ASD) or ventricular septal defect (VSD) that is moderate to large in size.
- Defects causing symptoms such as poor feeding, failure to thrive, shortness of breath, or frequent respiratory infections.
- Evidence of heart enlargement or strain on the right side of the heart seen on echocardiogram.
- Risk of developing pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs).
- Defects that have not closed on their own by a certain age (typically by school age for some ASDs).
How to prepare
- Comprehensive diagnostic tests including echocardiogram, ECG, and possibly cardiac catheterization.
- Pre-operative consultation with the pediatric cardiologist and cardiac surgeon to discuss the plan.
- Blood tests and a physical exam to ensure the child is fit for the procedure.
- Fasting for a specified period (usually 6-8 hours) before the procedure, as advised by the medical team.
- Discussion of anesthesia and post-operative pain management plans with the anesthesiologist.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding, infection, or reaction to anesthesia.
- Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) during or after the procedure.
- Damage to blood vessels or heart structures.
- Blood clots that could lead to stroke.
- Residual leak around the closure device or patch.
- Need for a repeat procedure in rare cases.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial recovery in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (ICU) for close monitoring.
- Pain management with medications as needed.
- Gradual return to feeding and normal activities as tolerated.
- Incision care and instructions on keeping the area clean and dry.
- Follow-up appointments with the pediatric cardiologist for echocardiograms to check the repair.
- Temporary activity restrictions (e.g., avoiding contact sports) as advised by the doctor.
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Typical hospital stay: 3-7 days
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Expected recovery time: 3-6 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering congenital septal defect in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with pediatric cardiology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform congenital septal defect. MediFyr helps you compare pediatric cardiologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for congenital septal defect compare across other countries where we have data.
Emma Khan is a 6-month-old infant,...
Emma Khan is a 6-month-old infant, the first child of young parents who immigrated from Pakistan. She was born full-term but struggled to gain weight and would become sweaty and breathless during feedings, often needing to pause every few minutes. Her pediatrician heard a loud heart murmur at her 4-month checkup. A pediatric cardiologist confirmed a moderate-sized Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) via echocardiogram. The doctor explained that the hole between her heart's lower chambers was causing her heart to work too hard, leading to failure to thrive. He recommended surgical closure before her first birthday to prevent long-term lung damage. Emma underwent open-heart surgery at 8 months old. Her parents were terrified, but the surgical team was reassuring. The 4-hour procedure was successful. In the Pediatric ICU, Emma was on a ventilator briefly but recovered quickly. Within a week, she was more alert and had a stronger cry. At her 3-month follow-up, Emma had caught up to her growth curve and was a happy, active baby. Her parents' journey moved from constant anxiety and guilt to immense relief and joy, finally able to enjoy their daughter without the shadow of her heart condition.
Pediatric Cardiologists for Congenital Septal Defect
Explore experienced pediatric cardiologists who regularly perform congenital septal defect and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 23 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 39 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 12, Noida
- 21 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 12, Noida
- 20 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 30 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Dwarka, Delhi
- 18 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, Kolkata
- 9 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata
- 21 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road, Bangalore
- 1 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, Kolkata
- 21 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata