Ventricular Septal Defect – the Results of Ten Years Follow-up [Article in Bosnian]

Aim – The aim of the study was to evaluate the natural history and outcome in patients with the ventricular septal defect (VSD) in respect to the size and location of defects.  Patients and Methods – Retrospectivly was analysed medical documentation of patients with VSD at Pediatric Clinic in Tuzla. The following was analysed the number, location and the size of defects, treatment and outcome of diseases. Analysis of the number, the size and location of VSD was completed using electrocardiography which was performed by ultrasonic imaging device Sonotron VingMed CFM 725, and 3,5 MHz curvilinear transducer 3.5 MHz. VSD were classified as small, medium and large defects.  Results – In the period from 01.01.1995 to 31.12.2004, VSD was diagnosed in a total of 237 children, of whom 206 (87%) was an isolated, and 31 (13%) a major haemo-dynamic anomaly. In 9% children congenital heart disease was combined with anomaly of some other organ failure, including syndromes and chromosomopathy. An isolated defect was found in 230 (97%) children, and only in 7 (3%) cases was the defect multiple. A large defect was present in 33 (13.9%) children, medium size defects in 15 (6.3%) children, whilst small defects were found in 189 (79.8%) cases. Congestive heart failure was found in 23 (9.7%) children, and 213 (90.3%) were without clinical symptoms. Medical treatment was applied in 23 cases, and cardiosurgical treatment in 41 cases. Spontaneous closure of the defect was recorded in 65 (27.4%) cases, whilst 4 (1.7%) children died, and 4 (1.7%) cases developed fixed pulmonary hypertension.  Conclusion – According to our results, complications and negative outcome of disease was minimal in spite of limited cardiosurgical resources in our conditions, thanks to timely diagnosis and continuous monitoring of patients with VSD.