What sort of problem is an atrial septal defect?

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.

Inherited disease: Atrial septal defect is a hose in the division between the heart atrial, a common congenital heart defects and usually isolate. Closing an atrial septal defects in childhood can prevent serious problems later in life. The long term outlook is excellent.