Atrial Septal Defect Treatment

An Atrial Septal Defect is a congenital birth abnormality. It is one condition that is commonly known as a perforation in the heart. It is often diagnosed after a routine physical examination. Symptoms and treatment for the condition depend upon the size of the hole. Treatment ranges from observation, medication and surgery.

What Is It and What Are the Symptoms?

• An Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is a congenital birth defect of the heart. It is a perforation in the heart that is located in the septum between the atria, which are the upper two chambers of the heart. Certain people are at risk for developing Atrial Septal Defects including families with a history of Down syndrome. In addition, pregnant moms who have Rubella, poorly controlled diabetes or those who use alcohol or drugs during their pregnancy are more at risk of giving birth to a baby with an ASD.

  Atrial Septal Defects often are discovered after a routine visit to the doctor's office. The doctor may hear a murmur after listening to the heart and would then refer you for follow up testing to rule out any conditions such as an Atrial Septal Defect.

  Often there are no symptoms for small to moderate Atrial Septal Defects. Larger Atrial Septal Defects cause symptoms ranging from shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in legs and feet, heart palpitations and frequent lung infections.

How to Test For and Treat an ASD

• If your doctor suspects that you or your child have a heart murmur, you will be referred for additional testing that may include an echocardiogram, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram or cardiac catheterization.

  Treatment for Atrial Septal Defects depends upon their size. Small to moderate holes may close on their own while surgery is usually needed for larger holes. According to the National Institute of Health, about 50 percent of ASDs close without treatment, with 20 percent of them closing within the first year of life.

  Medications are also used to help regulate Atrial Septal Defects. Medications such as Lopressor and Inderol are used to regulate your heartbeat. Other medicines such as Lasix are used to reduce fluid within the body and Coumadin is used to decrease the risk of blood clots.

  Surgery is needed for larger holes to prevent damage to the heart and lungs. Without surgery for a large ASD, you are at an increased risk for developing a stroke and congestive heart failure. There are currently two methods used in surgery to close Atrial Septal Defects. Cardiac Catheterization surgery is performed through a tube known as a catheter which is inserted in a blood vessel located in the groin and guided up to the heart. The other type of surgery is open heart surgery, which is performed by opening up the chest in order to expose the heart.

  According to Cincinnati Children's Heart Institute, 99 percent of all Atrial Septal Defect Surgeries end successfully in closure.