Question

scientist have determined that some people are born with a very small hole in their heart.

Predict the symptoms and problems a person may suffer if this hole existed between the left and the right ventricle, explain why you predict this would happen

Answer 1

Hole between ventricles - Ventricular septal defect.
• This defect is caused by abnormal heart development. During fetal development, muscular wall between ventricles fails to form fully and this results in this defect.

Pathophysiology of ventricular septal disease :-
• Normally, the right side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs to get oxygen and the left side pumps the oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body.
• In this defect, oxygenated blood allowed to mix with deoxygenated blood and this causes the heart to work harder to provide enough oxygen to the body's tissues.
• This results in increased pulmonary blood flow, which causes pulmonary vascular injury.
• Pulmonary vascular injury results in increased pulmonary vascular resistance and causes inverted shunt, which means now blood flow from right ventricle to left ventricle through hole.
• This condition give rise to many manifestations, which are -
• Hypoxia of body tissues- Fatigue and inability to exercise
• Heart failure
• Erythrocytosis - increased count of RBSs (Due to increased oxygen demand of tissues).
• Abnormal heart movements and rhythms - Murmur and enlarged heart.
• Fast breathing and shortness of breathing.