Beneficial Effects of Surgical Closure of Atrial Septal Defect Outweigh Potential Complications in Sick Infants

Abstract

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a common congenital heart disease diagnosed during childhood. Persistently increased pulmonary blood flow and dilated right atrium (RA) and right ventricle (RV) result in multiple symptoms and morbidities in adulthood; untreated adults may develop exercise intolerance, congestive heart failure, atrial tachyarrhythmias, pulmonary hypertension (PH), embolic stroke, or even death [1,2]. Asymptomatic children with ASD are commonly referred for elective ASD closure around 3 to 6 years of age [2,3].