WHAT IS AN ASD

The heart has 4 chambers:

	A Right and a Left upper chamber (compartment) called an atrium (a-tree-um).
	A Right and a Left lower chamber (compartment) called a ventricle (ven-trickle).

In the normal heart, the right and left chambers are completely separated from each other by a wall called a septum

A defect or “hole” in the septum or wall between the 2 upper chambers or atria (atria is the plural of atrium) is called an Atrial Septal Defect or ASD. It is one of the most common forms of congenital heart defect.

	An ASD can happen anywhere in the septum and can be any size. An ASD almost never gets bigger but sometimes it does get smaller or closes completely.
	A Pediatric Cardiologist—a specialist in heart problems of babies and children—sees babies with an ASD.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS

	Almost all babies have no symptoms
	Murmur: This is the sound made as blood in the heart flows across the pulmonary valve (opening of the vessel that carries blood to the lungs.) It is heard when the doctor, nurse practitioner and/or the nurse listens to your baby’s chest.

HOW IS IT TREATED

If the neonatologist notices any of the symptoms listed above and thinks the baby has an ASD, an echocardiogram may be ordered.

An echocardiogram is a painless ultrasound of the heart. It uses high frequency sound waves to measure blood flow and is done at your baby’s bedside.

The pediatric cardiologist will see your baby and will decide if your baby’s heart defect need

Regular checkups

Special tests and procedures

Surgery or Closure in the Cardiac Catheterization lab.

Most children with an ASD do not need a procedure as infants. Often they do not need surgery (have the ASD repaired) until 3-8 years of age.

Most children with an ASD do not need open heart surgery.

Most ASD can be closed with a patch delivered through a small catheter when the child is older

Only the largest defects (or those defects in unusual locations) need open heart surgery.

If your baby does need surgery, he may be transferred to either Duke University Medical Center or The University Hospital at Chapel Hill for the surgery.

If the decision is to transfer your baby to another hospital you will be asked to sign a consent giving Cape Fear Valley Medical Center permission to transfer your baby.

If your baby is transferred to another hospital, the doctors there will also talk with you about your baby’s surgery.

The surgery is done in the Operating Room and the baby is asleep for the surgery. You will be asked to sign a consent (give permission) for the surgery.

Once your baby’s condition is stable and the doctors are happy with the baby’s progress, the baby will be returned to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Both the pediatric cardiologist and our neonatologist will talk with you about your baby and what they recommend.

Please feel free to ask questions at any time.

WHAT CAN A PARENT DO

	Keep up with your baby’s progress each time you visit or call.
	An important part of the baby getting better is the parents’ love and concern.
	We encourage you to talk and sing to your baby, gently touch or rub them and hold them close if tolerated by the baby. Talk with your baby’s nurse about this.
	Your love and attention will go a long way in helping your little one on the road to recovery.

Reviewed/Revised

12/05

CONTENTS

WHAT IS AN ASD

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS

HOW IS IT TREATED

WHAT CAN A PARENT DO