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Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)

Atrial septal defect is an abnormal hole in the fibrous membrane separating the two smaller, collecting chambers of the heart (atria).

There are no clear reasons for the development of septal defects. Sometimes they can be linked to genetic factors, chromosomal abnormality or environmental factors.

Atrial septal defects can be divided into three major types – secundum, primum and sinus venosus. The secundum type of defect is the most common (80% of all ASD’s) type. Half of these defects close spontaneously on their own.

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In an atrial septal defect, oxygenated blood from the left atrium flows to the right atrium and mixes with the poorly oxygenated blood. Babies with ASD may grow to being young adults without having any symptoms. Blood flow to the lungs is increased. A swishing sound or murmur is caused because of this shunt. This is the first hint a doctor may get on a routine examination. However, the murmur can go unheard until the baby is a few months old. ASD may be diagnosed as an infant, child, and teenager or even in adulthood.

Untreated large septal defects can cause severe overload of the right heart over time and can lead to pulmonary hypertension. Other complications can be right heart failure, arrhythmias or stroke. These problems are rare and take many years to develop. In the developed countries, mortality rate of atrial septal defect is very low (<1%).

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Foramen ovale is a communication between the two atria in the fetus. If it fails to close after birth, it is called patent foramen ovale (PFO). It can go undetected for ages and should require no treatment at all. Strokes and migraines have been associated with PFO in adults. Numerous trials are underway to research this association.

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)

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Comments

Angel_C

I have VSD since birth [Tetralogy of Fallot] and I'm now 29 years old, I'm aware that I'm not allowed to do any strenuous activities but is yoga allowable for me? I can't afford to go to a doctor. I'm from a 3rd world country in Asia.

motisagar

HOLE IN HEART IN MY COSION HEART ,I HAVE NO MORE MONEY FOR SURGERY.MY BABY LIE ON BED AND WAITING FOR DEATH.PLEASE SUGGEST ME FOR SOME WELFARE SOSITY ,WHO HEALP MY CHILD.

Man56

dear friend, why don't u try get BPL [below poverty line]card, once this card made i belive free medicins and treatment avilable at all govt hospitals.

RameshRaju

get it done in Sathyasai Institute of Medical sciences in Bangalore.. They will do for free..

Kuotkuany

Well and briefly explained; VSD account for upto 25% of all Cardiac Heart Failure, which simply means that 2 out of 1000 lives birth are affected. Isolated complex malformations do happened and lower left sternal edge with/or without parasternal thrill is encountered mostly during examination. Yeah/and ballabalala....

manuheart123

Ventricular Septal Defect Ventricular Septal Defect is usually symptomless at birth. It usually manifests a few weeks after birth. Small VSD can be asymptomatic, but larger ones can result in heart failure, pulmonary hypertension or growth restriction with recurrent respiratory infections like pneumonia. Other features may be poor weight gain, breathlessness on breast feeding and increased heart rate. If not intervened, it can develop into Eisenmenger Syndrome, which has a very bad outcome. http://heart-consult.com

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