What is the procedure to close an asd?

There are two : Traditionally an ASD is closed with a surgical procedure. The hole can be sutured primarily or may require a patch to be sewn over the hole. Current surgical advances include the use of a mini sternotomy resulting in a smaller scar on the chest. Many asds can be closed with a device delivered from the leg through the large veins of the body. The device has a very success rate and leaves no scar.

Straightforward: In kids with general anaesthesia. Typically 30 minute procedure with echo guidance and minimal x ray exposure (in our series average of less than 1.5 minutes). The groin is punctured and a catheter is intoduced crossing the defect. Then the defect is sized with a balloon in most larger defects and the umbrella device selected. The device is deployed, echo confirms correct position and done!