VSD
Medical abbreviation · Cardiology
| Stands for | Ventricular septal defect |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
VSD stands for Ventricular septal defect, a cardiology abbreviation.
Opening in the wall between the two ventricles, the most common congenital heart defect found in infancy apart from bicuspid aortic valve. Small muscular VSDs produce a loud murmur but often close on their own, while large defects cause heart failure in infancy and pulmonary hypertension if not repaired.
Example: Harsh holosystolic murmur at the left lower sternal border in a 6-week-old; echo: small muscular VSD.
Usage notes
Perimembranous VSDs, near the valves, are the type that most often needs repair. Untreated large defects can lead to Eisenmenger syndrome, in which pulmonary pressures rise so high that the shunt reverses and the patient turns cyanotic. Murmur loudness often runs opposite to defect size, because a small hole creates a high-velocity jet.
Related abbreviations
More cardiology abbreviations
- AAA – Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- ABI – Ankle-brachial index
- ABPM – Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
- ACC – American College of Cardiology
- ACHD – Adult congenital heart disease
- ACS – Acute coronary syndrome
- ADHF – Acute decompensated heart failure
- AED – Automated external defibrillator
- AF – Atrial fibrillation
- AFib – Atrial fibrillation
- AFL – Atrial flutter
- AHA – American Heart Association
See all 229 cardiology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.