Atrial Septal Defect / Hole in Heart – Things You Should Know (1)

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Atrial Septal Defect / Hole in Heart Things You
Should Know
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Introduction

• Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), commonly known
  as Hole in Heart, is a congenital disorder of the
  heart that involves a hole in the wall (septum)
  that divides the two upper chambers of the heart.
  
• The freshly oxygenated blood in the upper left
  chamber of the heart (or left atrium) flow into
  the upper right chamber (right atrium), causing
  mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.
• If the hole is large, the extra volume of blood
  that is pumped from the right side of the heart
  can lead to the following

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Cont.

• Weakening of right side of the heart.
• Overfilling of lungs and overworking of heart.
• Increased blood pressure in lungs, leading to
  pulmonary hypertension.

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What are the causes ASD?

• A normal heart is divided into 4 chambers 2
  upper chambers known as Atria 2 lower chambers
  known as Ventricles.
• At birth, the 2 atria are connected through a
  small opening known as the foramen ovale, which
  gets sealed gradually with time through the
  formation of the atrial septum.
• Atrial septal defect occurs if the atrial septum
  is not formed completely during foetal
  development or does not close the hole properly.
• Prolonged opening of the foramen ovule results in
  the excessive blood flow to the lungs and high
  blood pressure.

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Cont.

• As per an experienced cardiac surgeon,The
  disorder takes place at about 5 weeks of
  pregnancy when heart development generally takes
  place. Genetics and environmental factors are
  also thought to play a role in development of the
  disorder. It is not possible to prevent atrial
  septal defects but one can take precautions and
  guidance on immunity, current health condition
  and family medical history from a health care
  provider if planning a pregnancy in the near
  future.

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Cont.

• Congenital heart defects run in families and may
  have a genetic linkage with disorders like the
  Downs syndrome.
• The doctor can guide people about the chances of
  having children with a heart defect if they or
  their older children suffer from one.
• Further, a rubella infection and consumption of
  alcohol or drugs during pregnancy can harm the
  foetus and increase the risk of having a baby
  with ASD.
• Get the Cost estimate of ASD Surgery in India
  here.

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What are the symptoms of ASD?

• Heart murmur (whooshing sound heard through a
  stethoscope)
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations
• Fatigue
• Swelling of feet, legs or abdomen
• Bluish skin colour
• Stroke

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How is ASD diagnosed?

• Following tests may be conducted to diagnose ASD
• Echocardiogram  Often the first test done for
  ASD, an electrocardiogram converts sound waves to
  video images of the heart. This allows the doctor
  to measure pumping strength of the heart
  chambers, valves and signs of heart defects.
• ECG  This method can identify heart rhythm
  problems by monitoring electrical activity of the
  heart.
• Cardiac Catheterization  The doctor can check
  the hearts pumping action and functioning of
  heart valves by inserting a catheter into a blood
  vessel in the groin or arm and guiding it to the
  heart.
• Coronary Angiography  This method is used on
  patients aged 35 years or more. Blood flow
  through the hearts arteries is determined using
  a special dye and x-rays.

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Cont.

• Diagnosis during pregnancy
• For pregnant women, foetal echocardiography will
  be conducted as part of routine antenatal
  examinations. An ultrasound scanner creates a
  picture of the babys heart, which is useful in
  identifying any congenital heart disease.
• Read about the relationship between Pregnancy and
  Heart Problems

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What are the treatment options for ASD?

• Treatment of ASD depends on the size of the hole
  in an adult or a childs heart.
• Small defect may not require any treatment as
  these may close on its own during childhood.
• However, in cases of large septal defects,
  medication and surgery may be required.
• Medications  Medications do not treat the hole,
  but relieve some symptoms and reduce risk of
  complication post surgery. Patients may be
  prescribed medicines for keeping their heart beat
  regular (beta blockers and digoxin) or reducing
  the risk of blood clots (anticoagulants like
  warfarin and aspirin).

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Cont.

• Surgery  Surgical repair, for both children and
  adults, involves plugging the opening between the
  atria, through two methods
• Cardiac catheterization  A plug or patch is
  guided through a catheter put in a blood vessel
  (groin) and placed at the site of the hole. Heart
  tissue grows around the mesh and seals it
  permanently.
• Open-heart surgery  Performed under general
  anaesthesia, the surgeon will stitch or use
  patches to seal the hole.
• Get ASD Surgery Cost in India from NABH JCI
  accredited hospitals.

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What are the known complications due to ASD?

• Congenital heart diseases like ASD are prone to
  further problems like
• Developmental issues in children Delay in
  development, learning difficulty due to poor
  oxygen supply during early life that affects
  brain development.
• Respiratory tract infections
• Endocarditis
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Heart rhythm problem and heart failure
• Blood clots

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Cont.

• Sudden cardiac death
• If a patient suffers from other heart defects
  too, s/he may be prone to developing infective
  endocarditis (infection due to growth of bacteria
  on the surface of the heart).
• Antibiotics may be required before any surgical
  or dental procedures.
• It is essential to keep ones heart healthy by
  taking a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and
  whole grains, and avoiding cholesterol, saturated
  fats and sodium rich foods.
• Persons affected by atrial septal defect can
  discuss the permissible level of physical
  activity for their condition with their doctor.