Adult Congenital Heart Surgery

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Repair

An Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is a congenital opening between the two upper chambers of the heart. Some ASDs remain undiagnosed until adulthood because patients may have few or no symptoms for many years.

Who may need ASD closure?

Closure may be recommended when an ASD results in significant blood flow from the left side to the right side of the heart and causes enlargement or increased workload of the right heart.

Patients may experience:

• Breathlessness on exertion
• Fatigue
• Palpitations
• Recurrent respiratory symptoms
• Reduced exercise tolerance

Some patients remain asymptomatic and are diagnosed incidentally during an echocardiogram.

How is ASD treated?

Depending on the size, location and anatomy of the defect, closure may be performed through a catheter-based device or through surgery.

Surgical closure may be recommended when the anatomy is unsuitable for device closure or when another cardiac procedure is required at the same time.

Why is treatment important?

An untreated significant ASD can, over time, lead to enlargement of the right side of the heart, rhythm disturbances, pulmonary hypertension and other complications.

Early assessment helps determine whether closure is necessary and which approach is most appropriate.

Dr. Deepi Agrawal Goyal

Dr. Deepi has experience in adult congenital cardiac surgery, including surgical management of ASD. Each patient is evaluated individually to determine whether observation, device closure or surgical repair is appropriate.