A heart septal defect, also known as a septal defect or atrial septal defect (ASD), is a congenital abnormality characterized by an opening or hole in the wall that separates the two upper chambers of the heart, namely the left and right atria. This defect occurs during fetal development when the septum, a tissue wall that normally divides the two atria, fails to fully form.
The size and location of the hole can vary, leading to different types of heart septal defects. Small defects may not cause any symptoms and can close on their own as the child grows. However, larger or more complex defects can result in abnormal blood flow between the atria. This leads to increased amounts of oxygenated blood mixing with deoxygenated blood, causing strain on the heart and potentially leading to various health complications.
Common symptoms of heart septal defects may include shortness of breath, fatigue, frequent respiratory infections, poor growth, and swelling of the legs, ankles, or abdomen. Diagnosis is typically made through physical examinations, listening to abnormal heart sounds (murmurs), and confirmed through imaging tests such as echocardiography.
Treatment options for heart septal defects depend on the size and severity of the defect, as well as the age and overall health of the patient. In some cases, smaller defects may require no treatment, while larger defects may necessitate surgical intervention or nonsurgical procedures such as cardiac catheterization to repair the defect and restore normal blood flow within the heart chambers. Early detection and appropriate management can help improve the overall prognosis for individuals with heart septal defects.
