Atrial septal defects

An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a hole in the wall (septum) between the two upper chambers of the heart (left atrium and right atrium). The condition is present at birth (congenital). Sometimes, particularly when the hole is small, it does not cause any symptoms and the person can have a normal life. Other times, particularly when the hole is large or is in a complex position of the heart, it can cause symptoms like shortness of breath, tiredness, palpitations, dizziness and leg oedema (swollen legs) and may require a surgical operation.

The surgical operation is normally performed opening the breast bone, but it can also be done with a small cut (keyhole – mini thoracotomy). It involves to close the hole, normally stitching a patch in the septum. Mr Alberto Albanese has a good experience of atrial septal defect closure.