Atrial Septal Defect

Understanding your Heart's Needs

Understanding
Atrial Septal Defect

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is a congenital heart condition where there is an abnormal opening between the upper chambers of the heart, the atria. This opening allows oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium to flow into the right atrium, instead of flowing into the left ventricle and out to the body as it normally should. Over time, this can cause an increase in blood flow to the lungs and potentially lead to other complications if not treated.

Symptoms

The symptoms of ASD can vary depending on the size of the defect. Common signs include:
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath, especially during exertion
  • Heart palpitations or arrhythmias
  • Stroke, although rare, due to blood clots passing through the defect

Causes &
Risk Factors

ASD is primarily a congenital condition, meaning it occurs during fetal development. Factors that may increase the risk of ASD include:
  • Family History of ASD
  • Maternal Factors (e.g. Alcohol Use During Pregnancy)
  • Genetic Conditions

Diagnosing ASD

Diagnosing ASD often involves a combination of clinical evaluation and diagnostic tests:
  • Echocardiogram, an ultrasound imaging technique which helps visualise the structure and function of the heart.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the electrical activity of the heart.
  • Cardiac catheterisation which is a procedure where a thin tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel and guided into the heart to evaluate the defect more closely.

Surgical Treatment Options

At Theo Kofidis Cardiac Surgery, we specialise in advanced surgical treatments for ASD, offering Minimally Invasive ASD Closure Surgery and Open Heart ASD Closure Surgery.

(Adj) Professor Theo Kofidis tailors these procedures to address the specific needs of each patient, focusing on achieving optimal outcomes and providing comprehensive care.

MINIMALLY INVASIVE
ASD CLOSURE SURGERY
Utilising small incisions and catheter-based techniques, this approach minimises recovery time and reduces the risk of complications.
OPEN HEART
ASD CLOSURE SURGERY
This method is only employed for complex or high-risk ASDs that may not be manageable with less invasive methods, but is rarely necessary.