Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is a most common heart defect occurring in both adults and children. This problem leads to several deaths in the world. There is no treatment required for small ASDs but large ASDs need percutaneous repair or surgery treatments.

Atrial septal defect is a hole which separates two chambers of the heart. It is also considered as congenital heart disease which is caused due to an inappropriate form of septum. This defect is also known as ‘hole in the heart’.The large and long term ASD damages both heart and lungs. Therefore, it is important to treat this health concern which helps in lowering the risk of serious complications in the patients.

Types of ASD

This defect consists of different types. These are as follows:

Primum ASDs: These defects occur in the lower part of the atrial septum. It might affect other heart defects in babies which require surgery.
Sinus Venosus ASDs: These are rare ASDs which affect the upper part of atrial septum. This problem is more complex and it requires surgical treatment.
Coronary Sinus ASDs: These rare defects occur in veins which collect blood from heart muscle. It is treated through surgery.
Secundum ASDs: They are most common ASDs, which occur in the middle of the atrial septum. These defects may affect children but require treatment if they are larger.

Symptoms

The symptoms that occur in children suffering from ASDs are as follows:

Breathing problem
Arrhythmias
Growth delays
Recurrent respiratory infections
Fatigue during exercises
Being underweight

Adults experiencing ASDs show different symptoms. These are as follows:

Fast heartbeat (Tachycardia)
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Skin color turning blue
Swelling in arms and legs
Heart palpitations

Diagnostic Tests

The tests that can diagnose ASD are as follows:

Chest X-Ray: It is a diagnostic test which done to chapter inside images of bones, internal tissues and other organs with invisible electromagnetic energy beams. This test helps to identify the condition of enlarged heart and lungs in patients. It also helps to determine suitable treatment to the patient.
Electrocardiogram: It involves identifying arrhythmias by recording electrical activity of the heart. A team of healthcare specialists performs the procedure.
Echocardiogram: This test determines the structure of the heart chambers and valves to diagnose ASD in patients. It is a primary tool which shows the images of the heart and blood flow through its chambers.
MRI Scan: It creates three dimensional images of the heart and other organs with magnetic fields and radio waves. If ASD is not diagnosed with echocardiogram or any other tests properly, then a doctor uses this test for the treatment as well.
CT Scan: It creates detailed images of the heart with a series of X-rays. This treatment is mainly used when MRI and other tests do not provide enough information about ASD diagnosis.

Treatments

Atrial Septal Defect can be treated through surgical or percutaneous repair, which involves many factors:

Type and size of defect
How ASD affects the heart
Conditions such as valve disease, coronary artery disease or pulmonary hypertension.

Small ASDs do not require treatment but larger ASDs are needed if they cause symptoms.

It is essential to repair this defect that leads to heart or lung damage in patients.

The medication drugs can be prescribed for treating ASD symptoms but there is no medicine which closes your hole.

It is important to take medicine when suffering from pulmonary hypertension. This medication drug not only treats this problem but also makes the procedure safer.

This defect involves treatment in two types, which are as follows:

Percutaneous (Non-Surgical) Repair

This repair uses a septal occluder, which closes a hole in the atrial septum. It also includes a long and flexible tube called a catheter. Both these devices are attached to each other, which helps in treating patients suffering from ASD.

Percutaneous Repair is most often used in treating Secundum ASDs and Sinus Venosus ASDs. It is important to use cardiac catheterization to check the size and location of ASD and measure heart pressure before repairing this condition.

You must take an anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication drug after the repair procedure. It prevents blood clotting, removes extra fluids and lowers pressure in the lungs.

Consult with your healthcare provider about the right type of medication drug and how long it is required for you.

Surgical Repair

Some defects such as coronary sinus, sinus venosus and primary ASDs must require surgical treatment. These are rare problems that can be detected by a cardiac surgeon. Other options such as robotic-assisted surgery or minimally invasive surgery are useful for this treatment.

A surgical repair can treat ASD with a tissue patch that comes from the patient’s membrane around the heart.

Prevention

The prevention of ASD is not possible if its causes and symptoms are not cleared. This problem can become severe in patients. To prevent this, you can follow several steps:

Monitor Health Conditions and Medications: It is important to monitor pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, lupus etc., during pregnancy to know your overall condition.
Review Family History: You can consult with a genetic counselor or any other doctor to talk about the risks of ASD if you have a family history of congenital heart defects.
Immunity test for Rubella: A person must get vaccinated if he or she is not immune to rubella.
Avoid teratogens: Teratogens such as tobacco, illicit drugs, alcohol etc., increase the risk of congenital heart defects. Therefore, it is important for a person to avoid these things which are harmful for his or her health.