What are Atrial Septal Defects or ASDs?

There are holes between the upper chambers of the heart and they are congenital, people are born with them. They commonly do not cause symptoms until later in life. They allow for blood to shunt, or move, from the left side of the heart to the right, or right to left, and short circuit the normal circulation. Larger ASD’s need to be closed.

Etiology
Natural History and symptoms
Treatment
Interventional
Surgical – Traditional
Minimally Invasive
Robotic
Indications for operation