What does it mean if my child has atrial septal defect?

Atrial septal defect: 4 types. Ostium primum, ostium secundum, sinus venosus asd, patent foramen ovale. Ostium primum and sinus venosus require open heart repair. Secundum, depending on size may be amenable to clamshell device vs open heart surgery repair. Pfo most amenable to endovascular repair. Diagnosed by echocardiogram, cardiac cath. Shunt fraction, arrythmias, reversibility of pulmonary hypertension all important.

Hole in wall: You have 2 upper chambers in the heart & 2 lower.An atrial septal defect is a hole in the wall between the upper chambers. It is under less pressure than the lower chambers so it often causes no obvious problems early on. Most are closed using various methods before school age.