Atrial septal defect

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Heart, section through the middle Heart, front view Atrial septal defect

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Atrial septal defect

• frequent respiratory infections in children
• difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
• shortness of breath with activity
• sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)

There may be a palpable pulsation of the pulmonary artery in the chest. Examination with a stethoscope (auscultation) of the heart usually reveals abnormal heart sounds. There may be a murmur caused by the increased blood flow across the pulmonic valve, and signs of heart failure. If the shunt is large, increased blood flow across the tricuspid valve (between the right atrium and ventricle) may be responsible for an additional murmur.

Tests that may be performed in the diagnosis of ASD include:

• A chest X-ray
• An echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart) or a contrast echocardiography
• A color Doppler/ study of the heart
• Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)
• A cardiac catheterization
• A coronary angiography (for patients over 35 years old)
• An MRI of chest (sometimes)

An ECG may show atrial fibrillation, right atrial enlargement, or a pattern of delayed electrical conduction in the heart.

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