Final answer:
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) and Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) are congenital heart defects, typically diagnosed via auscultation followed by echocardiography. Symptoms include dyspnea and heart murmur, and treatments range from observation to surgical repair. Untreated PDA may lead to heart failure.
Step-by-step explanation:
A Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) is a common congenital condition that involves an abnormal opening in the interventricular septum. It allows the mixing of oxygen-poor blood with oxygen-rich blood. Symptoms of VSD may include a heart murmur, difficulty in breathing (dyspnea), and in cases like Tetralogy of Fallot, cyanosis, clubbing of fingers and toes, and polycythemia. Echocardiography is typically used to diagnose this condition. Treatment for VSD may include surgical repair such as stent placement or valve replacement.
A Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) occurs when the ductus arteriosus fails to close after birth, which results in extra flow of blood to the lungs, leading to increased pulmonary pressure and difficulty in breathing. Treatments can involve surgical ligation, manual closure with coils or mesh, or the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If left untreated, PDA can cause congestive heart failure.
Diagnosis of septal defects often begins with auscultation, using a stethoscope to listen for abnormal heart sounds. Medical imaging, like echocardiography, is then used to confirm a diagnosis. Depending on the severity, some septal defects may not require treatment, while others necessitate surgical intervention.