A ventricular septal aneurysm is a bulge in the ventricular septum, which can be caused by a congenital condition or cardiac trauma. Symptoms include heart murmurs and rapid breathing. Magnetic resonance angiography is used to diagnose it, and surgery is the primary treatment.
A ventricular septal aneurysm is a type of heart aneurysm. This type of aneurysm occurs when a bulge or balloon sac forms in the ventricular septum. One of these aneurysms could be the result of a congenital condition, such as a ventricular septal defect, or the result of cardiac trauma, such as a heart attack.
The ventricular septum is the wall of tissue that divides the left and right sections of the heart, called the ventricles. This wall is composed of the lower muscular section and the upper membranous portion. In cases of ventricular septal defect, it is more common for older children and adults to have problems in the membranous section.
Ventricular septal defect generally occurs most often in the muscular section of the septal wall. A septal aneurysm, however, can occur in the apical, anterior, posterior, or midventricular areas of the ventricular septal wall. In some cases, an aneurysm can be in multiple parts of the wall.
Congenital ventricular septal aneurysm is present at birth. Symptoms usually appear within a few weeks of birth. The main symptom of this defect is some kind of heart murmur. Newborns may also have rapid breathing, especially when feeding.
A ventricular septal aneurysm should not be confused with an atrial septal aneurysm. An atrial septal aneurysm also forms as a bulge or balloon within tissue. The difference is that the aneurysm occurs in the atrial septum. This wall is located between the upper chambers of the heart.
It is important to be able to identify the signs and symptoms of a ventricular septal aneurysm before the aneurysm ruptures and causes massive bleeding. Heart failure is the primary symptom of an aneurysm because blood flow is reduced due to the bulging area. A recurring irregular heartbeat is another sign. Someone with an aneurysm can also experience a series of blood clots throughout the body.
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is done if a cardiologist suspects a ventricular septal aneurysm. An MRA is a type of imaging test that uses a contrast dye and radio waves to get pictures of the heart and arteries. An aneurysm will appear in these images.
Initial treatment for a ventricular septal aneurysm usually involves surgery, particularly when an irregular heartbeat or life-threatening complications arise. A surgeon will remove the aneurysm and close the septal wall. The patient will be asked to limit all activities and be retested to verify the healing process.
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