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

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.

No: In kids it is like a cardiac cath and percutaneous. That same approach is being done in some adults. If very large, may require surgery with excellent long term results.