Definition:

The heart's upper chambers (atria) are separated by a muscular wall (septum).  An atrial septal defect (ASD) is when there is a hole in the septum, which leads to blood moving from the left atria into the right atria.  The right side of the heart will have an overload of blood, and consequently, the lungs (where the right side of the heart sends the blood) also becomes overloaded with blood.   Eventually, the right ventricle weakens due to extra stress.  Usually, people are born with ASD, and symptoms usually arise in their 20s.

Symptoms:

• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• "Feeling" your heart beat through your chest (palpitations)
• Arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation
• High blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension)
• Heart failure

Diagnosis:

• Stethoscope - abnormal sounds in the heart (squishing sound as blood flows between atria)
• Chest X-Ray - visualization of hole
• Electrocardiogram - visualization of hole
• Echocardiography - visualization
• Cardiac catheterization - to detect higher oxygen saturation of blood in the right side of the heart

Treatment:

• Diuretics - leads to increased fluid loss
• Cardiac catheterization closure - a catheter sent through an artery into the heart to close the hole
• Surgery
  • Atrial Septal Defect closure - patch made of Dacron material or the pericardium
  • Minimal invasive ASD repair