Ventricular Septal Defect
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Pregnancy Issues

Women with small to moderate sized VSDs and those with successfully closed defects usually have no difficulty bearing children. Occasionally, moderate-sized defects will cause the development of arrhythmias and/or congestive heart failure during pregnancy. Women with large VSDs and high levels of pulmonary vascular resistance, as in Eisenmenger Complex, are exposed to serious risks and should not undergo pregnancy. About 3% of the offspring of women with VSD may be expected to have some form of congenital heart disease.

Anyone with congenital heart disease, repaired or non-repaired, should consult with their cardiologist prior to becoming pregnant to review the risks.