Surgical correction of a ventricular septal defect is designed to achieve which outcome?

Surgical correction of a ventricular septal defect is designed to achieve which outcome?

• A. Increase shunting to the lungs
• B. Block coronary blood flow
• C. Prevent the return of oxygenated blood to the lungs
• D. Decrease systemic oxygenation

Answer: (C)

Surgical correction of a ventricular septal defect aims to stop the abnormal left-to-right shunt that sends oxygenated blood back toward the lungs. Normally, blood from the left ventricle should go to the aorta and out to the body. A VSD creates a opening between the ventricles, so high-pressure blood from the left ventricle flows into the right ventricle, increases blood flow to the lungs, and then recirculates. Closing the defect redirects blood to the systemic circulation and prevents this backflow into the lungs, improving oxygen delivery to the body and reducing excessive pulmonary circulation. Consider the alternatives in this context: increasing shunting to the lungs would worsen pulmonary overcirculation and heart strain; blocking coronary blood flow would jeopardize heart muscle function; and decreasing systemic oxygenation would be harmful. The goal is to prevent the return of oxygenated blood to the lungs, aligning with improving systemic oxygen delivery and reducing pulmonary burden.

Surgical correction of a ventricular septal defect aims to stop the abnormal left-to-right shunt that sends oxygenated blood back toward the lungs. Normally, blood from the left ventricle should go to the aorta and out to the body. A VSD creates a opening between the ventricles, so high-pressure blood from the left ventricle flows into the right ventricle, increases blood flow to the lungs, and then recirculates. Closing the defect redirects blood to the systemic circulation and prevents this backflow into the lungs, improving oxygen delivery to the body and reducing excessive pulmonary circulation.

Consider the alternatives in this context: increasing shunting to the lungs would worsen pulmonary overcirculation and heart strain; blocking coronary blood flow would jeopardize heart muscle function; and decreasing systemic oxygenation would be harmful. The goal is to prevent the return of oxygenated blood to the lungs, aligning with improving systemic oxygen delivery and reducing pulmonary burden.