Question 1

what sort of problem is an atrial septal defect?

Accepted Answer

ASD: ASD is a congenital (present since birth) heart defect in which the wall that separates the 2 upper chambers (atria) is perforated allowing the abnormal mixing of oxygenated and un-oxygenated blood. If large enough, it can lead to rhythm disturbances and heart failure but if small, no treatment is necessary. Echo and MRI are very accurate in assessing the severity. It is correctable/curable.

Question 2

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 3

is an atrial septal defect a hereditary condition?

Accepted Answer

Multiple genes : The information needed to code for normal formation of the heart travels in many genes. There is a linkage to other forms of congenital heard defect. Someone with an ASD will have a 4% risk of having a kid with some form of chd , not necessarily the same one.

Question 4

is an atrial septal defect repair surgery dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Heart surgery risk: All open heart surgery is dangerous. Many asds are now closed without surgery, using a catheter placed in a leg vein.

Question 5

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 6

please help! i have an atrial septal defect (asd)?

Accepted Answer

Treatable: The importance of an ASD depends on the location in the septum and on the size of the asd.  Small asds may cause no problems.  Larger asds may require treatment.  The most common ASD is an ostium secundum asd.  Often, this can be treated by implanting a device in the ASD by catheter, sealing the hole.  If the ASD is very large, or other than a secundum defect, surgery may be necessary.

Question 7

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 8

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 9

is it difficult to have a heart procedure to fix an atrial septal defect?

Accepted Answer

2 options available: An atrial septal defect  (ASD) can be closed in 2 ways. One is through open heart surgery, which is now mainly used if the ASD is extremely large or in an unusual location. However, many people now have their ASD closed through a catheter placed in a leg vein, which is less invasive and avoids bypass and a chest incision. These options should be discussed with your personal cardiologist.

Question 10

what are the chances of passing an atrial septal defect from a parent to a child?

Accepted Answer

Very low: An asd, as well as most heart defects, are not hereditary traits that are passed on from parent to offspring.

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Doctor answers about:

What is an atrial septal defect

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What sort of problem is an atrial septal defect?

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How bad is an atrial septal defect?

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Is an atrial septal defect a hereditary condition?

A member asked:

Is an atrial septal defect repair surgery dangerous?

A member asked:

I have an atrial septal defect. advise?

A member asked:

Please help! i have an atrial septal defect (asd)?

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:

Is it difficult to have a heart procedure to fix an atrial septal defect?

A member asked:

What are the chances of passing an atrial septal defect from a parent to a child?

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