Index
Atrial Septal Defect
What Is Atrial Septal Defect?
Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a congenital heart defect in which blood flows between the atria (upper chambers)
of the heart. Some flow is a normal condition both pre-birth and immediately post-birth via the foramen oval; however, when
this does not naturally close after birth it is referred to as a patent (open) foramen oval (PFO).
It is common in patients with a congenital atrial septal aneurysm (ASA).
What Causes Atrial Septal Defect?
- Some congenital heart defects may have a genetic link, either occurring due to a defect in a gene, a chromosome
abnormality, or environmental exposure, causing heart problems to occur more often in certain families. Most atrial septal defects
occur sporadically (by chance), with no clear reason for their development.
- Children with ASDs are born with the defect. ASDs happen during fetal development of the heart. The heart develops from a large tube, dividing into sections that will eventually become its walls and chambers.
- In some cases, the tendency to develop an ASD might be inherited (genetic).
- Children with ASDs are born with the defect. ASDs happen during fetal development of the heart. The heart develops from a large tube, dividing into sections that will eventually become its walls and chambers.
- In some cases, the tendency to develop an ASD might be inherited (genetic).
What are the Signs & Symptoms of Atrial Septal Defect?
- Down syndrome – patients with Down syndrome have higher rates of ASDs, especially a particular type that involves the
ventricular wall. As many as one half of Down syndrome patients have some type of septal defect.
- Ebstein's anomaly – about 50% of individuals with Ebstein’s anomaly have an associated shunt between the right and left atria, either an atrial septal defect or a patent foramen ovale.
- Fetal alcohol syndrome – about one in four patients with fetal alcohol syndrome has either an ASD or a ventricular septal defect.
- Holt–Oram syndrome – both the osteium secundum and osteum primum types of ASD are associated with Holt–Oram syndrome.
- Lutembacher's syndrome – the presence of a congenital ASD along with acquired mitral stenosis.
- Ebstein's anomaly – about 50% of individuals with Ebstein’s anomaly have an associated shunt between the right and left atria, either an atrial septal defect or a patent foramen ovale.
- Fetal alcohol syndrome – about one in four patients with fetal alcohol syndrome has either an ASD or a ventricular septal defect.
- Holt–Oram syndrome – both the osteium secundum and osteum primum types of ASD are associated with Holt–Oram syndrome.
- Lutembacher's syndrome – the presence of a congenital ASD along with acquired mitral stenosis.
HEART CONDITIONS Diseases and Treated FAQ's
Echocardiogram
This is the most commonly used test to diagnose an atrial septal defect. Sound waves are used to produce a video image of the heart. It allows your doctor to see your heart's chambers and measure their pumping strength.
Chest X-ray
This helps your doctor see the condition of your heart and lungs. An X-ray can identify conditions other than a heart defect that might explain your signs or symptoms. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
This test records the electrical activity of your heart and helps identify heart rhythm problems.
Cardiac catheterization
A thin, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel at your groin or arm and guided to your heart.
MRI
This uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create 3D images of your heart and other organs and bodily tissues. Your doctor might request an MRI if echocardiography cannot definitively diagnose an atrial septal defect or related conditions.
CT scan
This uses a series of X-rays to create detailed images of your heart. It can be used to diagnose an atrial septal defect and related congenital heart defects if echocardiography has not definitely diagnosed an atrial septal defect.
This is the most commonly used test to diagnose an atrial septal defect. Sound waves are used to produce a video image of the heart. It allows your doctor to see your heart's chambers and measure their pumping strength.
Chest X-ray
This helps your doctor see the condition of your heart and lungs. An X-ray can identify conditions other than a heart defect that might explain your signs or symptoms. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
This test records the electrical activity of your heart and helps identify heart rhythm problems.
Cardiac catheterization
A thin, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel at your groin or arm and guided to your heart.
MRI
This uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create 3D images of your heart and other organs and bodily tissues. Your doctor might request an MRI if echocardiography cannot definitively diagnose an atrial septal defect or related conditions.
CT scan
This uses a series of X-rays to create detailed images of your heart. It can be used to diagnose an atrial septal defect and related congenital heart defects if echocardiography has not definitely diagnosed an atrial septal defect.
- The treatments are variety, and some of them are:
- Medical Monitoring.
- Medications.
- By Surgery:
Cardiac catheterization.
Open-heart surgery.
- Medical Monitoring.
- Medications.
- By Surgery:
Cardiac catheterization.
Open-heart surgery.
The cause of atrial septal defects is unknown. However, congenital heart defects are apparently
related to family patterns where other genetic problems eventually occur, including Down syndrome.
Some other conditions during pregnancy could increase the risk of having a baby with some type of heart defect, among these we can indicate:
Use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol, or exposure to certain substances
It has been proven that the use of certain medications, tobacco, alcohol or drugs, such as cocaine or other substances during pregnancy, considerably affect the developing fetus and can generate a major heart defect in the baby.
Diabetes or lupus
A patient with diabetes or lupus during pregnancy can also increase the risk of having a baby with a heart defect.
Rubella infection
Getting infected with rubella also known as (German measles) during the first months of pregnancy can increase the risk of fetal heart defects.
Some other conditions during pregnancy could increase the risk of having a baby with some type of heart defect, among these we can indicate:
Use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol, or exposure to certain substances
It has been proven that the use of certain medications, tobacco, alcohol or drugs, such as cocaine or other substances during pregnancy, considerably affect the developing fetus and can generate a major heart defect in the baby.
Diabetes or lupus
A patient with diabetes or lupus during pregnancy can also increase the risk of having a baby with a heart defect.
Rubella infection
Getting infected with rubella also known as (German measles) during the first months of pregnancy can increase the risk of fetal heart defects.