Atrial septal defect (ASD)

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a common heart defect that occurs most often in women.

The hole between the atria creates an increase in the leakage of blood from the right atrium to the left, with the pressure difference between the two. The degree of leakage is also dependent upon other factors, when there is a load on the right ventricle as a result an increased flow of blood from the right atrium and hence, increased pulmonary blood flow.

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Defect in patients with atrial septum (ASD) usually does not manifest symptomatically in the first years of life, although there is sometimes a tendency to recurrent respiratory tract infections. In most cases, a significant number of patients at around 40 years old begins to develop arrhythmias, pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure.

Diagnosis of ASD
Physical examination performed by palpation in the right ventricle.
ECG shows the deviation of the axis of the heart and increase the size of the right ventricle.
Echocardiography to evaluate the defect itself.

Treatment of ASD
The method of treatment is determined in each individual case on the basis of carefully conducted diagnostics in Israel by an experienced cardiac surgeon.
Treatment may be effected by means of catheterization or surgery – Atrial septal defect repair.
Operation for closure of atrial septal openings are one of the most modern achievements of Israeli medicine. This is a mini-invasive procedure, which is performed in a closed heart (without section of the chest). Senior cardiac surgeon injecting tools using a catheter in a vein in the arm reaches the hole and covers it with a patch. The success of this procedure in Israel is 95% – 97%, including after the age of 40 years.

We cooperate with the leading Israeli cardiac surgeons for treatment of heart defects, which makes treatment more efficient.

Related:

⇒ Cardiology in Israel

⇒ Leading Israeli cardiac surgeons and cardiologists