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Medical Topics
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Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
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| Some babies are born with a hole in the upper or lower septum. A hole in the septum between the heart's upper two chambers (the atria, pronounced AY-tree-uh) is called an atrial septal defect (ASD). A hole in the septum between the heart's lower two chambers (the ventricles, pronounced VEN-trih-kuls) is called a ventricular septal defect (VSD). |
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| A hole in the septum can allow blood to pass from the left side of the heart to the right side. This means that oxygen-rich blood can mix with oxygen-poor blood, causing the oxygen-rich blood to be pumped to the lungs a second time. |
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| Over the past few decades, the diagnosis and treatment of ASDs and VSDs have greatly improved. As a result, a child with a simple heart defect can grow to adulthood and live a normal, active, and productive life because his or her heart defect closes on its own or has been repaired. |
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