ASD Device Closure
Closing a hole between the two upper chambers of the heart with a folding double-disc device passed through a vein in the groin, without open surgery.
What is an ASD?
An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a hole in the heart in the wall between the two upper chambers (atria). Extra blood flows through it into the right side of the heart and the lungs. Many people have no symptoms for years, and the hole is found only when a murmur is heard or an echo is done for another reason.
Signs that may appear over time
- Breathlessness or tiredness on exertion.
- Palpitations or an irregular heartbeat, more often in adults.
- In children, frequent chest infections or slow weight gain.
Is device closure possible for everyone?
No. Closure is usually advised when the hole is large enough to enlarge the right side of the heart. Device closure suits the common type, called secundum ASD, when there is enough rim of tissue around the hole to hold the device. Other types, or holes that are too large, usually need surgery. Echocardiography, including TEE or 3D echo, is used to measure the hole and decide.
How the closure is done
- Depending on age and the plan, it is done under sedation or general anaesthesia. Children usually need general anaesthesia.
- A catheter is passed through a vein in the groin up to the heart.
- Under echo and X-ray guidance, a folded double-disc device is pushed through the hole. One disc opens on each side, sealing the hole like a button.
- Its position is checked carefully before it is released. Over the following months, the body's own tissue grows over it.
Before and after
Tell the doctor about allergies, especially to metals such as nickel, any bleeding tendency, and all medicines. After closure, a short hospital stay is usual. Antiplatelet medicines are commonly given for some months, as advised. Avoid strenuous activity for the period your doctor suggests, and attend follow-up echo checks.
When to call
Call promptly for chest pain, a racing or irregular heartbeat, breathlessness, fainting, fever, or bleeding at the groin. A related procedure is PDA device closure.
Whether your hole can be closed with a device is decided only after examination and detailed echo reports. This page is for understanding, not a substitute for consultation.
For understanding only — the right test or treatment is decided after examination.
