Developmental Pathophysiology, Develop. Physiol., Dr. D. Penney

Figure 4.06 - Ventricular septal defect with left to right shunt.

A. Large defect. When a VSD is of about the caliber of the aortic orifice, there is free communication between the two ventricles, which allows equalization of pressures between them.

B. Small defect. As in any VSD with left to right shunt, both ventricles and the left atrium participate in carrying shunted blood.

Abbreviations: IVC = inferior vena cava, LA = left atrium, LV = left ventricle, LPA = left pulmonary artery, LPV = left pulmonary vein, PA = pulmonary artery, RPA = right pulmonary artery, RPV = right pulmonary vein, SVC = superior vena cava

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