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CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECT
(ASD)

An atrial septal defect (ASD) is an abnormal opening (hole in heart) in the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart. This opening allows abnormal flow of blood between the atria chambers and usually results in too much blood flow to the lungs.

  • Atrial septal defects are one of the most common congenital heart defects seen in pediatric cardiology and often occur in conjunction with other cardiac defects.1-3
  • There are four atrial septal defect types and their location in the heart determines their type.1
  • Ostium secundum is the most common type of ASD, and are located in the center of the atrial septum. About 80% of ASDs are in the ostium secundum.1
  • Non-surgical closure (using a transcatheter device) of ASDs only benefits patients with centrally located ostium secundum ASDs.1,4
  • If left untreated, the ASD may be debilitating and could be fatal.1,3

Download the ASD treatment guide to learn more about atrial septal defect (ASD) treatment options.

HOW AN ASD AFFECTS YOUR
BLOOD FLOW

The heart is a pump with four chambers: two small upper chambers called the atria (you have a right and a left atrium) and two larger, more powerful pumping chambers called ventricles (again you have a right and a left ventricle). A healthy heart pumps blood through the body and is controlled by a unique “electrical system” within the heart itself.

Typically, oxygen-poor blood flows from the body into the heart through the right atrium and then flows into the right ventricle. When the heart pumps, the blood in the right ventricle is pumped out through the pulmonary artery to the lungs where it is filtered and receives oxygen. From the lungs, the now oxygen-rich blood enters the heart through the left atrium. It then flows to the left ventricle and is pumped out through the aorta into the body to provide oxygen to all the organs and cells. As it circulates through the body, it becomes oxygen-poor and returns to the heart and the cycle begins again.

An ASD is an abnormal opening (a hole) in the tissue wall between the atria. Typically, there is lower resistance to flow on the right side of the heart, which causes the oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium to flow through the opening and into the right atrium. This results in too much blood flow to the lungs and can cause heart failure.

how ASD affects blood flow

ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECT
SYMPTOMS

Severity of atrial septal defect symptoms often depends on the size of the hole in heart. Large ASDs may cause fatigue, shortness of breath, pulmonary hypertension, arrhythmia and/or an enlarged heart. Symptoms of atrial septal defect may include:

Heart Murmur

HEART MURMUR

Lung Infection

FREQUENT RESPIRATORY OR LUNG INFECTIONS

Stroke

STROKE

Ankles and Feet swelling

SWELLING OF THE LEGS, FEET, OR STOMACH

Difficulty in breathing

DIFFICULTY
BREATHING

Fatigue

FATIGUE WHEN FEEDING (INFANTS)

Shortness of Breath

SHORTNESS OF
BREATH WHEN
BEING ACTIVE

Irregular Heartbeat

PALPITATIONS
(A SENSE OF FEELING THE HEARTBEAT)

Poor weight gain

POOR FEEDING AND POOR WEIGHT GAIN

Cyanosis

CYANOSIS
(BLUISH SKIN)

ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECT TREATMENT

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an atrial septal defect (ASD), it’s important to seek timely treatment since the condition can cause serious complications. Your doctor will discuss the best treatment option for you.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECT TREATMENT

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an atrial septal defect (ASD), it’s important to seek timely treatment since the condition can cause serious complications. Your doctor will discuss the best treatment option for you.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

MAT-2304813 v1.0 | Item approved for U.S. use only.

References
  1. Moake L, Ramaciotti C. Atrial septal defect treatment options. AACN Clin Issues. 2005;16(2):252-66. doi: 10.1097/00044067-200504000-00015
  2. McMahon CJ, Feltes TF, Fraley JK, et al. Natural history of growth of secundum atrial septal defects and implications for transcatheter closure. Heart. 2002;87(3):256-9. doi: 10.1136/heart.87.3.256
  3. Omeish A, Hijazi ZM. Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects in children & adults using the Amplatzer Septal Occluder. J Interv Cardiol. 2001;14(1):37-44. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8183.2001.tb00709.x
  4. Balzer DT. Transcatheter closure of intracardiac shunts. Curr Treat Options Cardio Med. 2004;6:717-722. doi: 10.1007/s11936-004-0025-4
Important Safety Information
  • Amplatzer Septal Occluder (ASD)

  • WHAT IS THE AMPLATZER™ SEPTAL
    OCCLUDER APPROVED FOR?
    Available by prescription only.

    The Amplatzer™ Septal Occluder is a device that is placed in the heart during a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure to close an atrial septal defect (ASD) in patients with an ostium secundum ASD.

    WHO SHOULD NOT RECEIVE THE AMPLATZER™ SEPTAL OCCLUDER?

    Patients who have any of the following conditions should not receive the Amplatzer™ Septal Occluder: other defects in the heart that require surgery to repair; infection anywhere in the body that cannot be successfully treated prior to receiving the device; bleeding disorder, untreated ulcer, or unable to take aspirin or other blood-thinning medication; blood clots in the heart; small size or any condition such as an active infection that makes the patient a poor candidate for the procedure; anatomy in which the device would interfere with or come in contact with other heart structures, such as valves or veins.

    WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE AMPLATZER™ SEPTAL OCCLUDER?

    The Septal Occluder procedure carries risks which may include, but are not limited to: air bubble that blocks blood flow in a vessel; allergic reaction to contrast dye or anesthesia; temporary pause in breathing; loss of regular heart rhythm; blood or fluid buildup around the heart; death; obstruction of a blood vessel; fever; high or low blood pressure; infection, including infection or inflammation in the heart; need for surgery; fluid buildup around the heart; perforation of a vessel or the heart; blood leakage outside a vessel, including blood loss requiring a transfusion; erosion or abrasion of the tissue of the atrium; stroke; blood clot formation over the device; abnormal backward flow of blood through a valve.

    WHAT ARE THE PRECAUTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE AMPLATZER™ SEPTAL OCCLUDER?

    Patients who are allergic to nickel may have an allergic reaction to this device, especially those with a history of metal allergies.

    Talk to your doctor to learn more about the risks associated with the Amplatzer™ Septal Occluder.

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