35
Table 14. Ventricular Septal Defect: Routine Follow-Up and
Testing Intervals
Type of Follow-
Up or Testing
Physiological
Stage A*
†
(mo)
Physiological
Stage B* (mo)
Physiological
Stage C* (mo)
Physiological
Stage D* (mo)
Outpatient
ACHD
cardiologist
36–60 12–60 6–12 3–6
Electrocardiogram 36–60 12–60
12 12
Transthoracic
echocardiogram
36–60
12–60
12 12
Modified with permission from Stout et al. Copyright © 2018 American Heart Association, Inc.
and American College of Cardiolog y Foundation.
* See Section 2.2 for details on the ACHD anatomic and physiological classification system.
†
Some physiological stage A patients with spontaneously closed muscular ventricular septal
defects without residual anatomic or hemodynamic sequelae can be discharged from routine
cardiolog y follow-up and be seen on an as-needed basis.
‡
Stage B patients with a ventricular septal defect and a hemodynamically insignificant shunt
who have normal chamber size without pulmonary hypertension can be seen every 36 to 60
months. Patients with ventricular dilation, dysfunction, or arrhythmia should be seen more
frequently.
ACHD indicates adult congenital heart disease.
