Chapter: imaging of atrial and ventricular septal defects

Septal defects together account for the majority of the congenital heart defects (CHD); these can occur in isolation or associated with other CHDs. Hemodynamic manifestations are dependent upon the size, location, and the number of the defects, along with the associated lesions. For example, atrial septal defects result in the right ventricular volume overload, whereas the ventricular septal defect (VSD) results in the left heart volume overload. Knowledge of septal anatomy is crucial to understanding these lesions, their hemodynamic significance, and thus better plan management, including interventions. Noninvasive imaging of simple septal defects by various modalities will be reviewed; atrioventricular septal defects, anomalous pulmonary venous connections, patent ductus arteriosus, and complex cardiac conditions with VSD will not be discussed in this chapter.