Types of Congenital Heart Defects

Two of the more common congenital disorders are Ventricular Septal Defects (VSD) and Atrial Septal Defects (ASD). Both are abnormal openings in the wall between the side of the heart that pumps oxygen-poor blood to the lungs, and the side that pumps oxygen-rich blood out to the body.



A VSD (Ventral Septal Defect) is a hole that occurs in the septum, or wall, that lies between the left and right ventricles, or lower chambers.


An ASD (Atrail Septal Defect) is a hole that occurs in the septum between the left and right atria, or upper chambers.



In both cases, oxygen-rich blood from the left side seeps into the right side. This decreases the amount of circulating oxygen and puts additional strain on the heart and lungs.



A Patent Foramen Ovale, or PFO, is a type of ASD. The Foramen Ovale is a natural opening that exists between the right and left atria in the fetal circulatory system. The hole usually closes after the infant takes its first breath. If it fails to close, it is considered patent, or open. A PFO does not always cause health problems.

Much less common, but potentially more serious, is a PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus). The Ductus Arteriosus is a normal structure in the fetal circulatory system that allows blood to bypass the fetal lungs, since the lungs are not needed for respiration while the fetus is in the womb. This channel normally closes after birth. If it remains open, blood will flow from the aorta into the pulmonary artery. If the hole is large enough, it may lead to heart failure.

Narrowed and constricted blood vessels
Heart defects can also include narrowed or constricted blood vessels. One of the more common types of vascular defects is CoA (Coarctation of the Aorta). A narrowed or pinched aorta forces the heart to work harder to deliver blood. Eventually, the overload will damage both the heart and the aorta.



Here's a list of some of the 35+ Congenital Heart Defects:


Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)


Atrioventricular Canal Defect


Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA)


Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (ccTGA)


Ebstein's Anomaly


Hypoplastic Left Heart syndrome (HLHS)


Hypoplastic Right Heart syndrome (HRHS)


Patent Ductus Arteriosus


Persistent Truncus Arteriosus


Pulmonary Atresia (PA)


Pulmonary Stenosis (PS)


Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF)


Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA)


Tricuspid Atresia


Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection


Ventral Septal Defect (VSD)