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University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is the second most common congenital heart defect and accounts for 10-15 percent of all congenital heart defects. Atrial septal defects commonly occur in otherwise normal hearts but may be associated with other heart defects, including pulmonary stenosis, ventricular septal defect, partial anomalous venous return, patent ductus arteriosus, mitral valve prolapse and other more complex heart anomalies.

Closure of an atrial septal defect is done if there is persistence of a moderate to large defect when the child is between four and six years of age. If the defect is diagnosed in young adulthood, the benefits of closure remain significant.

A treatment option for some patients is closure of the defect through cardiac catheterization. During the procedure, catheters are placed into the large blood vessels in the legs and floated into the heart. The closure device is delivered to the site of the defect collapsed within a catheter. After the catheter tip is moved into place, the device is pushed out of the catheter, across the atrial septal defect, and secured in place.

Not all patients with atrial septal defects are candidates for catheterized closure. Consideration factors include size of the defect, position of the defect within the atrial septum, and age (and size) of the patient.