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

ASD may not require treatment if there are few or no symptoms, or if the defect is small. Surgical closure of the defect is recommended if the atrial septal defect is large or if symptoms occur.

Recently, a new procedure has been developed to close the defect without surgery. This involves the introduction of a closure device into the heart through wires or catheters.

A tiny incision is made in the groin to introduce the catheters. They are then advanced into the heart where the closure devise is placed across the ASD and the defect is closed.

This procedure is relatively new and may not be applicable to all patients. Prophylactic (preventive) antibiotics should be given prior to dental procedures to reduce the risk of developing infective endocarditis.

With a small-to-moderate atrial septal defect, a person may live a normal life span without symptoms. Larger defects may cause disability by middle age because of increased blood flow and shunting of blood back into the pulmonary circulation.

• Pulmonary hypertension
• Arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation
• Heart failure
• Infective endocarditis

Call your health care provider if symptoms indicating an atrial septal defect develop.

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