Types of defects: Abnormal passages in or around the heart

These abnormalities are generally characterized by an extra pathway in the heart for blood flow, resulting from a hole in the heart or even an extra artery.

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trial septal defect (ASD) is a hole in the atrial septum that separates the two upper chambers of the heart and accounts for 25 percent of congential heart defects in adults. ASDs allow oxygenated blood to flow into the right atrium and back into the lungs, which increases the workload of the right side of the heart. The most common form of this defect, called a Secundum ASD, is a hole in the central portion of the atrial septum. Atrial septal defects are three times more common in women than men and can be difficult to diagnose. A young child may have no symptoms and the defect is tough to detect on physical exam alone; however, ASDs can be seen on chest X-ray or heard with careful auscultation of the heart and lungs during a routine checkup.

Atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) can be either complete or partial. Partial AVSD, also known as partial AV canal or primum ASD, is a hole in the lower part of the wall between the upper chambers of the heart atria (atrial septum) and is always associated with abnormal development of the mitral and tricuspid valves. Partial AVSD increase the workload for the right side of the heart and are often associated with mitral valve regurgitation. Complete AVSD, also known as complete atrioventricular (AV) canal, common AV canal, and endocardial cushion defect, accounts for 4 to 10 percent of congenital heart defects. People with complete AVSD have holes in both the atrial and ventricular septums as well as abnormal tricuspid and mitral valves. AVSD cause oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood to mix within the heart. This increases blood flow through the lungs, overworking the heart.

Patent ductus arteriosus - The ductus arteriosus is an artery that is normally present in the developing fetus that allows blood to bypass the fetal lungs until the lungs become functional at birth. In some people this artery fails to close at birth, resulting in an extra artery, the patent ductus arteriosus, where patent means open. In a newborn, this connection creates an extra circulation path outside the heart allowing oxygenated blood in the aorta to circulate into the pulmonary artery, resulting in excess blood flow to the lungs. This extra circulatory pathway overworks the heart and can cause high pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension) or heart failure.

Ventricular septal defects (VSD) is a hole in the wall (ventricular septum) between the pumping chambers of the heart and accounts for 15 percent of all congenital heart disease. VSDs allow oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood to mix in the ventricles, increasing the blood flow to the lungs and overworking the heart.