What is the most common atrial septal defect?
What is the most common atrial septal defect?
Atrial septal defects are one of the most common types of congenital heart defects and are present in about 25% of live births. The most common type of ASD is an ostium secundum defect.
How many types of atrial septal defects are there?
There are 3 major types of ASDs or interatrial communications: ostium secundum, ostium primum, and sinus venosus (Figure 1A) defects. The ostium secundum is a true defect of the atrial septum and involves the region of the fossa ovalis.
What is an atrial septal defect?
The upper chambers, the right and left atria, receive incoming blood. The lower chambers, the more muscular right and left ventricles, pump blood out of the heart. The heart valves, which keep blood flowing in the right direction, are gates at the chamber openings. An atrial septal defect is an abnormal opening between the heart’s upper chambers.
What is the pathophysiology of secundum atrial septal defect?
The secundum atrial septal defect usually arises from an enlarged foramen ovale, inadequate growth of the septum secundum, or excessive absorption of the septum primum. About 10 to 20% of individuals with ostium secundum ASDs also have mitral valve prolapse.
How do you diagnose an atrial septal defect after birth?
After the Baby is Born. One of the most common ways an atrial septal defect is found is by detecting a murmur when listening to a person’s heart with a stethoscope. If a murmur is heard or other signs or symptoms are present, the health care provider might request one or more tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Can a woman with an atrial septal defect have a baby?
Most women with an atrial septal defect can go through pregnancy without problems related to the defect. However, having a larger defect or having complications such as heart failure, arrhythmias or pulmonary hypertension can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy.