Which statement is true about congenital heart defects management?

• A. Some non-critical defects require surgery
• B. All critical defects require surgery
• C. No defects ever require surgery
• D. Every septal defect must be repaired

Answer: (A)

Managing congenital heart defects depends on how much the defect disrupts blood flow and heart function, not just on a label of severity. Some defects that aren’t immediately life-threatening can still require surgical repair later because they may lead to heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, or impaired growth if left unrepaired. Tiny defects often close on their own and don’t need surgery, while others can be treated with catheter-based closures when anatomy allows. There isn’t a strict rule that all critical defects must be repaired by surgery; the approach can vary from urgent surgical repair to less invasive interventions depending on the specifics. This nuance is why the statement that some non-critical defects require surgery best captures the reality of CHD management.