Learn About Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)

What is the definition of Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)?

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a heart defect that is present at birth (congenital).

As a baby develops in the womb, a wall (septum) forms that divides the upper chamber into a left and right atrium. When this wall does not form correctly, it can result in a defect that remains after birth. This is called an atrial septal defect, or ASD.

What are the alternative names for Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)?

Congenital heart defect - ASD; Birth defect heart - ASD; Primum ASD; Secundum ASD

What are the causes of Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)?

Normally, blood cannot flow between the two upper heart chambers. However, an ASD allows this to happen.

When blood flows between the two heart chambers, this is called a shunt. Blood most often flows from the left to the right side. When this happens the right side of the heart enlarges. Over time pressure in the lungs may build up. When this happens, the blood flowing through the defect will then go from right to left. If this occurs, there will be less oxygen in the blood that goes to the body.

Atrial septal defects are defined as primum or secundum.

  • The primum defects are linked to other heart defects of the ventricular septum and mitral valve.
  • Secundum defects can be a single, small or large hole. They may also be more than one small hole in the septum or wall between the two chambers.

Very small defects (less than 5 millimeters or ¼ inch) are less likely to cause problems. Smaller defects are often discovered much later in life than larger ones.

Along with the size of the ASD, where the defect is located plays a role that affects blood flow and oxygen levels. The presence of other heart defects is also important.

ASD is not very common.

What are the symptoms of Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)?

A person with no other heart defect, or a small defect (less than 5 millimeters) may not have any symptoms, or symptoms may not occur until middle age or later.

Symptoms that do occur may begin at any time after birth through childhood. They can include:

  • Difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
  • Frequent respiratory infections in children
  • Feeling the heart beat (palpitations) in adults
  • Shortness of breath with activity
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What are the current treatments for Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)?

ASD may not need treatment if there are few or no symptoms, or if the defect is small and is not associated with other abnormalities. Surgery to close the defect is recommended if the defect causes a large amount of shunting, the heart is swollen, or symptoms occur.

A procedure has been developed to close the defect (if no other abnormalities are present) without open heart surgery. Some people with ASDs may be able to have this procedure, depending on the size and location of the defect.

  • The procedure involves placing an ASD closure device into the heart through tubes called catheters.
  • The provider makes a tiny cut in the groin, then inserts the catheters into a blood vessel and up into the heart.
  • The closure device is then placed across the ASD and the defect is closed.

Sometimes, open-heart surgery may be needed to repair the defect. This type of surgery is more likely needed when other heart defects are present.

People who have a repair to close an ASD should get antibiotics before any dental procedures they have in the period following the procedure. Antibiotics are not needed later on.

Who are the top Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Local Doctors?

Saint Thomas Medical Partners

4230 Harding Pike, Suite 535, 
Nashville, TN 
 4.2 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Mark Zenker is a Cardiologist in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Zenker and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). His top areas of expertise are Aortic Regurgitation, Pediatric Myocarditis, Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Pacemaker Implantation, and Cardiac Ablation. Dr. Zenker is currently accepting new patients.

Cardiology | Interventional Cardiology
Cardiology | Interventional Cardiology

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

1301 22nd Ave S, 
Nashville, TN 
 1.9 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Robert Piana is a Cardiologist and an Interventional Cardiologist in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Piana and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). His top areas of expertise are Patent Foramen Ovale, Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), Pulmonary Hypertension, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). Dr. Piana is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Interventional Cardiology | Cardiology
Interventional Cardiology | Cardiology

Centennial Heart LLC

2400 Patterson St, Suite 103, 
Nashville, TN 
 1.7 mi
Accepting New Patients

Matthew Wiisanen is an Interventional Cardiologist and a Cardiologist in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Wiisanen and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). His top areas of expertise are Atrial Fibrillation, Heart Attack, Aortic Valve Stenosis, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), and Aortic Valve Replacement. Dr. Wiisanen is currently accepting new patients.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)?

In infants, small ASDs (less than 5 mm) will often not cause problems, or will close without treatment. Larger ASDs (8 to 10 mm), often do not close and may need a repair.

Important factors include the size of the defect, the amount of extra blood flowing through the opening, the size of the right side of the heart, and whether the person has any symptoms.

Some people with ASD may have other congenital heart conditions. These may include a leaky valve or a hole in another area of the heart.

What are the possible complications of Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)?

People with a larger or more complicated ASD are at an increased risk for developing other problems, including:

  • Abnormal heart rhythms, particularly atrial fibrillation
  • Heart failure
  • Heart infection (endocarditis)
  • High blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs
  • Stroke
When should I contact a medical professional for Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)?

Contact your provider if you have symptoms of an atrial septal defect.

How do I prevent Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)?

There is no known way to prevent the defect. Some of the complications can be prevented with early detection.

What are the latest Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Clinical Trials?
Luma Vision's Feasibility Study on the VERAFEYE System

Summary: The objective of the study is to evaluate the performance of the VERAFEYE System in subjects entitled to undergo a standard of care ablation or closure procedure. Results from this study will be used to guide development and refinement the VERAFEYE System. The study is not designed to collect data for product approval and as such does not have a safety or efficacy endpoint.

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Abbott Structural Heart Device Registry

Summary: The Abbott Structural Heart (SH) Registry is being conducted to confirm the safety and performance of Abbott's SH devices in a post-market, real-world setting. The Registry primarily involves gathering data from routine hospital practices and standard-of-care (SOC) procedures administered to patients. All devices used in these procedures must be commercially available to the participating site. A ...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: February 27, 2024
Published By: Thomas S. Metkus, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Liegeois JR, Rigby ML. Atrial septal defect (interatrial communication). In: Gatzoulis MA, Webb GD, Daubeney PEF, eds. Diagnosis and Management of Adult Congenital Heart Disease. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 29.

Sodhi N, Zajarias A, Balzer DT, Lasala JM. Percutaneous closure of patent formen ovale and atrial septal defect. In: Topol EJ, Teirstein PS, eds. Textbook of Interventional Cardiology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 49.

Stout KK, Daniels CJ, Aboulhosn JA, et al. 2018 AHA/ACC guideline for the management of adults with congenital heart disease: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association task force on clinical practice guidelines. Circulation. 2019(14);139:e698-e800. PMID: 30586767 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30586767/.

Valente AM, Dorfman AL, Babu-Narayan SV, Krieger EV. Congenital heart disease in the adolescent and adult. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 82.