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Facts About Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)

In infants small ASDs (less than 5 mm) will often close on their own or cause no problems. Larger ASDs (8 to 10 mm) most often do not close and may need a procedure. There are several factors that would determine the prognosis following surgery including the size of the defect, the amount of extra blood flowing through the opening, and how long the child has gone without surgery. Some children with an ASD may have other congenital heart conditions, such as a leaky valve or a hole in another area of the heart.

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 MY APPROACH to the Adult Patient With Newly Identified Atrial Septal Defect

After you identify the defect, you have to look for any associated congenital heart disease that can occur alongside an ASD; this is the second step.

Articles of Interest

A hole in the heart: 3 things to know about atrial septal defect

“In the past it was broadly stated that ASD is a simple disease. You take care of it and people go on to live a normal life,” Naik said. “More recent studies show that people with ASD have a higher mortality rate than those who don’t have it.” Therefore, it is important these patients continue long-term follow up care with a cardiologist.

Atrial septal defect in adulthood: a new paradigm for congenital heart disease

Atrial septal defects (ASDs) represent the most common congenital heart defect diagnosed in adulthood. Although considered a simple defect, challenges in optimal diagnostic and treatment options still exist due to great heterogeneity in terms of anatomy and time-related complications primarily arrhythmias, thromboembolism, right heart failure and, in a subset of patients, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Innovative open-heart surgery gets gymnast back on the mat in two weeks

While many congenital heart defects are discovered early in life, it’s not uncommon for teens and even adults to be diagnosed for the first time. “Patients can live for many years without showing symptoms,” said M Health Fairview Congenital Heart Surgeon Sameh Said, MBBCh, MD, FACS. “Especially with someone like Kaelyn, who is exercising constantly, it may be more difficult to identify symptoms

Predictors of the Need for an Atrial Septal Defect Closure at Very Young Age

An asymptomatic Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is often closed at the age of 3–5 years using a transcatheter or surgical technique. Symptomatic ASD or ASD associated with pulmonary hypertension (PHT) may require earlier closure, particularly in combination with other non-cardiac risk factors for PHT, but the indications for early closure and the potential risk for complications are largely unknown.

The Heart & Down Syndrome

Approximately one-half of individuals with DS have congenital heart disease. That is a scary statistic! But, modern medicine steps up to the plate here, and with a 99% success rate for most heart surgeries, you can almost count on a home run!

Resources

Congenital Heart Defects Simplified

These types of defects are well tolerated and may never present symptoms. Right ventricular overload is usually well tolerated by the body, and pulmonary hypertension typically occurs late in adulthood. Unless the shunt is large, symptoms tend to be minimal throughout adulthood. A CVA, or a stroke in a younger patient is often the only way that these defects may be found.

Structural Heart

Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect. Defects that involve the wall or vessels of the heart include atrial septal defect (ASD), ventricular septal defect (VSD), and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

CDC

Treatment for an atrial septal defect depends on the age of diagnosis, the number of or seriousness of symptoms, size of the hole, and presence of other conditions. Sometimes surgery is needed to repair the hole. Sometimes medications are prescribed to help treat symptoms. There are no known medications that can repair the hole.

StatPearls

There are five types of atrial septal defects ranging from most frequent to least: patent foramen ovale, ostium secundum defect, ostium primum defect, sinus venosus defect, and coronary sinus defect.

TinyTickers

Normally, blood flows from the left atrium into the left ventricle but when there is a hole between the atria, some of the blood flows through this into the right atrium. This means that more blood goes to the right side of the heart and to the lungs rather than to the rest of the body.