Thinking of your heart as a house with two stories. There should be a wall between the floors to keep them apart. An atrial septal defect is like a hole in that wall (ASD). The two upper chambers of your heart generate this area.
A hole in one side of the body can allow blood to pour into the other, burdening your heart more.
Repairing an ASD is like patching up a wall hole.
There are two main methods to treat an ASD:
The best course of action for repairing your ASD depends on the hole's size, location, and overall condition.
An Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is a breach in the wall that separates your heart's two upper chambers.
Not everyone with an ASD needs repair. Small holes might not cause problems. However, larger holes can allow extra blood to flow where it shouldn't put extra strain on your heart. If you have symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, or heart palpitations, or if your ASD is large, you might need a repair.
Heart specialists, called cardiologists, and heart surgeons work together to repair ASDs. Cardiologists often perform a less invasive procedure called transcatheter ASD repair, while heart surgeons do open-heart surgery for more complex cases.
There are two main ways to repair an ASD:
During surgical ASD repair, you'll be put to sleep with anesthesia. The surgeon will make an incision in your chest, stop your heart, and use a heart-lung machine to keep your blood circulating. The hole in your heart will then be closed with stitches or a patch.
For transcatheter ASD repair, you'll be given medicine to relax you. A blood vessel, typically in the groin, is used to place a catheter. Using X-ray guidance, the doctor will guide a small device through the catheter to close the hole.
Recovery time varies depending on the type of repair. After surgery, you'll spend some time in the intensive care unit, followed by a hospital stay. You'll need to rest and gradually increase your activity level. After a transcatheter repair, recovery is usually quicker.
Repairing an ASD can improve heart function, reduce symptoms, and prevent complications like heart failure and stroke.
Like any surgery, there are risks involved. These can include bleeding, infection, irregular heartbeat, and stroke. However, these complications are rare.
Recovery time depends on the type of repair. Transcatheter repairs usually have a shorter recovery period compared to open-heart surgery. Your physician will provide you with detailed instructions for your recuperation.
With successful ASD repair, most people can expect a normal lifespan.
You should call your healthcare provider if you experience any unusual symptoms after the repair, such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, swelling in your legs, or signs of infection.
Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital is known for safe and successful Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Repair in Lucknow, India. With our Experienced Pediatric Cardiac Surgeons, modern technology, and dedicated care, the hospital ensures the best outcomes. Patients receive complete support before and after surgery.
Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com