An Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is a congenital heart defect, a hole in the wall (septum) that separates the two upper chambers (atria) of the heart.

All babies are born with a small opening in this area, which helps blood bypass the lungs before birth. Normally, this opening closes naturally within the first few weeks or months of life. However, in some cases, it remains open or is larger than normal.

Small ASDs often don’t cause symptoms and may close on their own over time. But larger ASDs can allow too much blood to pass between the atria, putting strain on the heart and lungs. This may lead to complications like heart enlargement, irregular heart rhythms, or pulmonary hypertension.

To prevent these risks, larger ASDs may be treated using a transcatheter closure, a minimally invasive procedure where a device is inserted through a vein and placed in the heart to seal the hole. In some cases, surgical repair may be recommended.

Speak with your cardiologist to determine the best treatment option based on the size and impact of the defect.