Question
A 19-month-old girl has difficulty swallowing symptomatic anti-inflammatory medication after a burn on her arm and cannot receive intravenous injections. Can medication be administered vaginally? Is immediate medical attention required? How long does the treatment take?
Answer
A ventricular septal defect is a common congenital heart defect that typically occurs during embryonic development when the primitive atrial septum between the left and right atria fails to develop properly, resulting in a hole between the atria. In this situation, the blood pressure in the left atrium is usually higher than that in the right atrium, causing blood to flow from the left atrium to the right atrium, forming a left-to-right shunt. This shunt can lead to corresponding hemodynamic abnormalities and result in varying degrees of maldevelopment and heart failure. Ventricular septal defects may present with some symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and slow weight gain, but these symptoms may not always be present. In some cases, ventricular septal defects may become more severe with age, even leading to heart failure. Therefore, timely diagnosis and treatment are very important. For some secondary atrial septal defects, if the location is suitable, minimally invasive transcatheter intervention can be performed. This treatment method involves placing a plug into the position of the atrial septal defect through a catheter without opening the chest. This effectively seals the defect, reduces blood shunting, and improves heart function. This treatment method…