Which of the following defects is the most common type of congenital cardiovascular defect encountered?

Which of the following defects is the most common type of congenital cardiovascular defect encountered?

• A. Ventricular septal defects (VSD)
• B. Tetralogy of Fallot
• C. Coarctation of the aorta
• D. Transposition of the great arteries

Answer: (A)

The most common congenital cardiovascular defect is a ventricular septal defect. It happens when the developing ventricular septum doesn’t form completely, leaving a hole between the left and right ventricles. That hole allows oxygen-rich blood to pass from the left ventricle into the right ventricle (a left-to-right shunt). The size of the defect matters: small VSDs often cause little or no symptoms and can close on their own as the child grows, which is part of why this defect is seen so frequently. Larger VSDs, on the other hand, can lead to excessive blood flow to the lungs and heart failure if not managed. Among the other conditions listed, Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common cyanotic defect but is less frequent overall than VSD. Coarctation of the aorta and transposition of the great arteries are less common congenital defects in general. Therefore, ventricular septal defects are encountered most often.

The most common congenital cardiovascular defect is a ventricular septal defect. It happens when the developing ventricular septum doesn’t form completely, leaving a hole between the left and right ventricles. That hole allows oxygen-rich blood to pass from the left ventricle into the right ventricle (a left-to-right shunt). The size of the defect matters: small VSDs often cause little or no symptoms and can close on their own as the child grows, which is part of why this defect is seen so frequently. Larger VSDs, on the other hand, can lead to excessive blood flow to the lungs and heart failure if not managed.

Among the other conditions listed, Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common cyanotic defect but is less frequent overall than VSD. Coarctation of the aorta and transposition of the great arteries are less common congenital defects in general. Therefore, ventricular septal defects are encountered most often.