Common Types of Congenital Heart Defects

Congenital heart disease can be categorized into various types, with the following being the most commonly observed:

1. Septal Defects

Septal defects refer to abnormal openings between the heart's chambers. When this occurs between the two upper chambers (atria), it is known as an atrial septal defect (ASD). Similarly, when the abnormal passage is located between the two lower chambers (ventricles), it is called a ventricular septal defect (VSD). These defects allow blood to flow abnormally between chambers, which can lead to increased workload on the heart and potential complications if left untreated.

2. Obstructive Defects

Obstructive defects occur when there is a partial or complete blockage in the heart or major blood vessels. A common example is pulmonary valve stenosis, which involves the narrowing of the pulmonary valve due to incomplete separation or poor development of its leaflets. This results in restricted blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery. Other types of obstruction can occur in various parts of the heart and vascular system, affecting the normal circulation of blood.

3. Abnormal Connections

Abnormal connections involve the incorrect positioning or attachment of major blood vessels. One of the most well-known conditions in this category is transposition of the great arteries, where the aorta and pulmonary artery are switched. Normally, the aorta arises from the left ventricle and the pulmonary artery from the right ventricle, but in this condition, the aorta originates from the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery from the left ventricle.

Complete Pulmonary Venous Anomaly

Another type of abnormal connection is total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC). In a healthy heart, all four pulmonary veins drain oxygen-rich blood into the left atrium. However, in TAPVC, the pulmonary veins connect abnormally, often draining into the right atrium or coronary sinus instead. This disrupts normal blood circulation and typically requires surgical correction early in life.