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Atrial Septal Defect
Medical Questions » Atrial Septal Defect
| Name: Atrial Septal Defect |
| Also known as: |
| Hole between the two atria (smaller upper chambers) in the heart that creates an abnormal blood flow within the heart. |
Causes of Atrial Septal Defect
Congenital birth defect. |
Symptoms of Atrial Septal Defect
Very variable depending on size of hole. Often no symptoms in an infant, but as they grow may include blue tinged skin (cyanosis) from poor circulation of blood through lungs, thickened finger tips (clubbing) because of poor oxygen supply, slow growth rate, increased incidence of lung infections, tiredness and weakness. |
Tests for Atrial Septal Defect
Characteristic murmur heard. Electrocardiogram (ECG), echo cardiogram (ultrasound of heart), and cardiac catheterization (passing a pressure measuring tube through an artery or vein into the heart) demonstrate heart abnormalities. |
Treatment for Atrial Septal Defect
Open heart surgery to close defect if symptoms occur.
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Complications of Atrial Septal Defect of its treatment
May cause atrial fibrillation, cor pulmonale (high blood pressure in lungs. see separate entry), heart failure and be associated with mitral valve stenosis. |
Likely Outcome of Atrial Septal Defect
Very small holes may close spontaneously. Good results from surgery. |
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