Question 1

what options for getting an atrial septal defect repaired in an adult?

Accepted Answer

Catheter or knife: It can be repaired percutaneously through a catheter inserted through the leg or arm or by open surgery.

Question 2

how often do adults get diagnosed with an atrial septal defect that wasn't found as a child?

Accepted Answer

It happens: Generally there are 2 reasons for the delay in diagnosis: it's very small, doesn't need treatment,  and doesn't matter or the individual has not been under the type of  medical care that would suggest it, ie where chest xrays, ekgs, or echos are done. In 30 years, i've just found a few.

Question 3

in an adult, what size (in mm or cm) differentiates a small, medium, and large unrepaired atrial septal defect?

Accepted Answer

ASD: These are really arbitrary, subjective terms, but i think of small as less than 8mm, medium as 8-16mm and large as greater than 16mm. However, the bottom line as to whether or not an ASD needs to get closed by catheter-based device or surgery hinges on whether the right side of the heart (right atrium and right ventricle) are enlarged.

Question 4

atrial septal defect surgery for adults, how common is it? and what are the possible complications from this surgery?

Accepted Answer

Intervention or open: Less common today as most now diagnosed in infants. Many now repairable using catheter based techniques but if large still best fixed open. Slight risk of stroke and damage to conduction system but one of the safer open operations. Consider a center that does both pediatric and adult surgery to have the most expertise in either type of procedure.

Question 5

please tell me what is the safest atrial septal defect closure method?

Accepted Answer

Surgery: While there are multiple methods available, the best long and short term results are with surgery. Direct or patch closure of the defect is safe, reproducible, and durable.

Question 6

how bad is an atrial septal defect?

Accepted Answer

ASD: It is variable, depending on the size of  the opening and the amount of blood traveling across it.  Sometimes they are diagnosed in childhood, others are picked up in adults.  They are closed if the size is significant either surgically or using catheters.  But if they are small they can be followed and monitored with echocardiograms.

Question 7

what exactly is atrial septal defect?

Accepted Answer

ASD: An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a communication (hole) in the atrial septum (wall between top two chambers of the heart). It usually results in extra blood flowing through hole from left to right side resulting in eventual enlargement of the right side of the heart. This can take years to decades depending on size of defect. ASD closed with surgery or interventional cardiology (device closure).

Question 8

i have an atrial septal defect. advise?

Accepted Answer

See a cardiologist: This can be serious, as a blood clot from the lower legs can cross the ASD and cause a stroke.

Question 9

is asd (atrial septal defect) hereditary?

Accepted Answer

Not completely: The genetic influence of congenital heart defects travels on several different genes & there is some risk for first degree relatives (offspring, sibs). The risk for offspring to have some heart defect (not the same) runs ~4% while it jumps to 6-8% if both parents have some form of defect. Of some interest, there is a basic 4% risk of some unexpected outcome for any pregnancy. (defect, premi, illness).

Question 10

what are the tests for atrial septal defect?

Accepted Answer

Echocardiogram: Echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart that can see if there is a hole between the 2 upper chambers of the heart (atrial septal defect). A cardiac catherization can also determine if ASD exist, but is invasive.

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Doctor answers about:

Atrial septal defect closure in adults

A member asked:

What options for getting an atrial septal defect repaired in an adult?

A member asked:

How often do adults get diagnosed with an atrial septal defect that wasn't found as a child?

A member asked:

In an adult, what size (in mm or cm) differentiates a small, medium, and large unrepaired atrial septal defect?

A member asked:

Atrial septal defect surgery for adults, how common is it? and what are the possible complications from this surgery?

A member asked:

Please tell me what is the safest atrial septal defect closure method?

A member asked:

How bad is an atrial septal defect?

A member asked:

What exactly is atrial septal defect?

A member asked:

I have an atrial septal defect. advise?

A member asked:

Is asd (atrial septal defect) hereditary?

A member asked:

What are the tests for atrial septal defect?

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