Which of the following is the MOST common congenital cardiac malformation?
- A Secundum atrial septal defect
- B Ventricular septal defect ✓
- C Patent ductus arteriosus
- D Tetralogy of Fallot
Correct answer: B. Ventricular septal defect
Explanation
Ventricular septal defect is the single most common congenital cardiac malformation, accounting for roughly 30 percent of all congenital heart disease. Secundum ASD is the most common lesion diagnosed late in childhood or adulthood, which makes it the tempting distractor, but its birth incidence is far lower than that of VSD. Many small muscular VSDs close spontaneously in infancy, yet they still dominate the incidence figures.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.