Surgery is the best option for the treatment of this condition, although those who have a very small hole or present no symptoms may not require surgery in the least. Patients with larger openings as a result of their defect or those who experience symptoms of it will likely need to undergo surgery.
- Some patients may also qualify for a new procedure used to close the opening without major invasive surgery. During this procedure, the heart is accessed through blood vessels in the groin and a small device is placed over the opening in the heart. After several months natural tissue grows over the device and seals the hole completely, correcting the problem.
- Correction is often recommended as soon as possible due to the problems that an atrial septal defect can cause later in life. The procedure mentioned above makes the process as simple as it can be, and recovery is very swift.
Atrial Septal Defect Prognosis
Small defects left untreated could cause no problems whatsoever while leaving other defects untreated could cause significant problems later in life and result in shortened life spans. With surgery, these risks are often reduced and most who successfully undergo corrective surgery will live full, healthy lives comparable to those born without any congenital heart defects. Closures are successful in nine out of every ten patients.
Atrial Septal Defect Complications
As with any medical condition, leaving an atrial septal defect unchecked can lead to numerous complications, some of them very dangerous.
- Pulmonary hypertension is very common
- Irregular heartbeats will occur regularly as well
- Heart failure is often caused by an atrial septal defect and is frequently the reason that many adults are finally diagnosed with the condition
- The chance of a stroke is increased significantly, and blood clots can easily pass through the opening in the heart and move to the brain, causing death
Contacting an Atrial Septal Defect Doctor
Any of the previously mentioned symptoms should be cause enough to contact your doctor for Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) repairs in Coimbatore, who will run the needed tests to determine if your child has an atrial septal defect. Similarly, if you are an adult experiencing any of the symptoms of a congenital heart defect you should schedule an appointment immediately as well.
Atrial Septal Defect Prevention
Since the defect’s causes are largely unknown there are no real preventative steps a mother can take during pregnancy, other than to abstain from the use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. Vigilance after birth can help to ensure that the problem is noticed quickly, and is the best way to prevent problems later in life.
