Atrial Septal Defect(ASD) closure
ASD closure is a procedure to close an atrial septal defect (ASD) or hole in your heart which is an abnormal opening in the wall (septum) between two upper chambers (atria) of your heart.
Some facts about Atrial Septal Defect(ASD) closure:
- A device is used in this procedure to plug the hole, a patch to cover it or sutures to sew it shut.
- Open-heart surgery or a minimally invasive procedure using a catheter may be used to place the closure device.
- The hole may not cause any problems or need treatment if it is small.
- But, the hole can allow blood to leak into the wrong chambers of your heart if it is large which can make your heart and lungs work harder, causing symptoms and complications, including Abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) like atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, Enlarged heart, Heart failure, High pressure in your lungs (pulmonary hypertension), Shortness of breath and Stroke..
- ASD closure is suggested if you are at risk for these complications.
- The procedure is also recommended if you are already having surgery for another congenital heart defect.
- ASD closure is usually performed by by a heart surgeon or interventional cardiologist, both specialists in heart procedures, on young children to avoid future heart damage and complications.
Procedure for Atrial Septal Defect(ASD) closure:
- ASD closure may require open-heart surgery or it can be accomplished with a minimally invasive procedure called cardiac catheterization by using a catheter threaded from a vein in your groin up to your heart.
- The hole can be covered by a patch made of synthetic material or with your own tissue, taken from another area of your heart.
- It will be plugged with a closure device and sewn shut with sutures (stitches).
- The appropriate technique will be suggested for you, depending on any other heart conditions you may have, the size and location of the hole and your overall health.
- Robotic-assisted surgery is used by some medical facilities to repair an ASD.
- General anesthesia will be given during the procedure and medications that put you to sleep, so you feel no pain during the operation.
- You will be connected to several machines that monitor your vital signs, including heart rate and breathing
- You will also be connected to a heart-lung machine to take over the work of your heart during the procedure.
- An incision (cut) will be made in your chest by your surgeon which may be down the middle of the chest over your breastbone, on the right side of your chest or in another location determined by your surgeon.
- A special tool will be used to spread your ribs.
- The ASD will be located by using an endoscope, a thin tube with a light and camera at the end and then the hole will be closed with a plug, patch or sutures.
- A transcatheter ASD closure can be done if you have a smaller ASD and no other heart conditions that need correcting.
- A transcatheter ASD closure is less invasive and generally makes recovery easier and faster.
- A small incision in the femoral vein and sometimes also a femoral artery in your groin will be made in this procedure.
- A thin tube called a catheter will be inserted, which holds the closure device on the end.
- Imaging technology such as X-ray and echocardiogram will be used to guide the catheter and device through the vein to your heart.
- The closure device will be placed into the hole and the catheter will be removed.
