by targetmarket | Apr 15, 2024 | Atrial Septal Defect Repairs
Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a congenital heart defect. If you have ASD, you were born with a hole between the upper chambers of your heart. This hole may cause higher levels of blood to go through the lungs. Known as one of the most common congenital heart defects in children, ASD affects more than 2,000 babies each year. Here at Minimally Invasive and Bloodless Heart Surgery with Dr. Ciuffo, we will explore the types, symptoms, and causes of an atrial septal defect, along with their complications and treatments. Types of ASDs There are a number of ASDs, including: Secundum: Secundum is the most common type of atrial septal defect. It arises in the atrial septum, the wall between the upper heart chambers. Primum: Primum occurs in the lower part of the wall, which is located between the upper heart chambers. It may present itself with other heart issues at birth. Sinus venosus: Sinus venosus is a rare form of ASD. It appears in the upper part of the wall, between the heart chambers, typically with other heart structure changes at birth. Coronary sinus: Coronary sinus refers to the vein system of the heart. It’s also rare and occurs when part of the wall between the part of the vein system of the heart is missing. Symptoms Of ASD It’s not uncommon for a baby with ASD to be asymptomatic. Oftentimes, symptoms begin when an individual reaches adulthood and may include: Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity Fatigue Arrhythmias or irregular heartbeats Swelling in the legs, feet, or belly Palpitations Causes Of ASD At this time, the cause... by DrCiuffo | Feb 2, 2017 | Blog
An atrial septal defect is a hole in the heart wall that normally separates the right side of the heart from the left. This hole causes problems with blood flow through the heart and body and forces the right side to work harder. It also causes “flooding” of the lungs and respiratory distress because of excessive blood flow. Atrial septal defects can be repaired through several different types of procedures: Surgery Dr. Ciuffo will make a small 2″ incision on the chest wall. He will then close the ASD with a suture line or a patch of the patient’s own tissue. Minimally invasive surgery patients have the advantages of having a very small scar, significantly less pain, and a quick recovery compared to other methods. Medicine For newborns with a small atrial septal defect, showing no heart failure symptoms and responding well to medical therapy, a pediatric cardiologist will typically observe the patient and wait for the atrial septal defect to close spontaneously. Small ASDs tend to close spontaneously and present very light symptoms. In this case, the baby will have regular physical examinations and echocardiograms. However, in some small ASD cases, ASD is diagnosed much later in life. Adult patients are diagnosed typically because of the onset of new symptoms or finding a heart murmur during a routine exam. Catheter In some cases, the ASD can be closed with a catheter intervention. A thin, long catheter is inserted through the groin and positioned in the heart across the ASD. The catheter will then deploy and anchor a special mechanical patch, known as the “clamshell” device. The device consists of two wire and silicone...
