Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)Symptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About 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.
Congenital heart defect - ASD; Birth defect heart - ASD; Primum ASD; Secundum 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.
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 and adulthood. They can include:
- Difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
- Frequent respiratory infections in children
- Feeling the heart beat (palpitations) in adults
- Shortness of breath with activity
An 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.
Duke Cardiology Arringdon
As a fellowship trained adult congenital heart disease specialist and Director of the Adult Congenital Heart Center at Duke, I take care of a wide spectrum of heart problems, spanning from simple shunt lesions like patent foramen ovale, atrial septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus, to more complicated disorders, like tetralogy of Fallot, Ebstein anomaly, transposition of the great arteries and single ventricles. I collaborate with my colleagues in adult and pediatric medicine to provide comprehensive health services including complex cardiac interventions like catheter-based pulmonary valve implantation, closure of aortopulmonary collaterals and coarctation stenting. I am also skilled at the non-invasive and invasive assessment of patients with pulmonary hypertension. Congenital heart disease is my passion and I strive to educate my patients, their doctors and our fabulous trainees in order to improve everyone's awareness of these challenging conditions. My spare time is spent mostly at home with my wife and 2 teenage boys. I enjoy participating in and watching all types of major sports and also enjoy traveling. Dr. Krasuski is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). He is also highly rated in 11 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), Patent Foramen Ovale, Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), Heart Transplant, and Thrombectomy. Dr. Krasuski is board certified in American Board Of Internal Med, Internal Medicine , American Board Of Internal Med, Cardiovascular Disease , and American Board Of Internal Med, Adult Congenital Heart Disease.
New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center
Shunichi Homma is an Internal Medicine provider practicing medicine in New York,, New York. Dr. Homma is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). He is also highly rated in 8 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Patent Foramen Ovale, Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy, Parathyroidectomy, and Patent Foramen Ovale Repair.
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Joanna Ghobrial is a Cardiologist practicing medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. She has been practicing medicine for over 23 years. Dr. Ghobrial is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). She is also highly rated in 49 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), Congenital Coronary Artery Malformation, Coarctation of the Aorta, Angioplasty, and Heart Bypass Surgery. Dr. Ghobrial is board certified in National Board Of Echocardiography.
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.
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
Contact your provider if you have symptoms of an atrial septal defect.
There is no known way to prevent the defect. Some of the complications can be prevented with early detection.
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 ...
Summary: Every fetus has a small hole in their heart, called a foramen ovale when they are developing in the womb. For most people this hole closes shortly after birth, but it doesn't close completely in 1 out of every 4 people. This is called a patent foramen ovale, or PFO. In people with a PFO it is possible for a blood clot in a vein to enter the heart, pass through the opening, and then go into an arte...
Published Date: January 27, 2026
Published By: Thomas S. Metkus MD, PhD, Associate 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.
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