7 month old with "hole in heart" murmur

  My wife and I went to a cardiolgist yesterday to investigate a murmur that we knew our daughter had since her 1 month visit.  After an EKG, a chest x-ray, and ultrasound? our doctor determined that there was a hole inbetween her "lower chambers".  Apparantly it is more serious since it is in the lower chambers of the heart.  The hole is "small" and in a "good location" and is loud (I was told smaller holes make louder noises).  We are supposed to check back 6-8 months later.  As you can imagine, my wife and I are very worried although we were told, despite the abnormal condition, she could be an "olympic athlete".  I am wondering what the chances are that it will close on its own, and if it doesn't what the treatment options are.  At what point would surgery be necessary?
  Thank you for your responses!

[CCF Cardio MD - MTR]

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Dear Frank, thank you for your question.  Your daughter has a ventricular septal defect (VSD) which is a communication between the right and left ventricles through the interventricular septum which normally separates the two chambers.  This is a common congenital cardiac abnormality that can vary in size, location, and severity.  It sounds like the physician who evaluated your daughter felt that the VSD was small and would probably close spontaneously over the next 6 months.  I can't comment on the chances the VSD will close on its own, whether surgery will be necessary to close the "hole," or what her short term prognosis will be since I haven't evaluated your daughter.  However, this is a situation that is seen in young children who often do just fine.  Thus, I would heed the advice of your daughter's pediatrician and I suggest that you speak with her doctor(s) about the questions you pose.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.  Good luck!
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