Atrial septal defect
Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a form of congenital heart defect that enables blood flow between the left and right atria via the
interatrial septum. The interatrial septum is the tissue that divides the
right and
left atria. Without this septum, or if there is a defect in this septum, it is possible for blood to travel from the left side of the heart to the right side of the heart, or vice versa. Irrespective of interatrial communication bi-directions, this results in the mixing of arterial and venous blood. The mixing of arterial and venous blood may or may not be hemodynamically significant, if even clincally significant. This mixture of blood, may or may not result in what is known as a "Shunt". The amount of shunting present, if any, dictates hemodynamic significance. (See Pathophysiology below). It should be noted however, that a "Right-to-left-shunt" typically poses the more dangerous scenario (See Pathophysiology below).
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Atrial septal defect
atrial septal defect
Noun
1. an abnormal opening between the left and right atria of the heart
(hypernym) septal defect
Atrial septal defect (ASD)
A hole in the septum, the wall, between the atria, the upper chambers of the heart. Commonly called an ASD. ASDs constitute a major class of heart formation abnormalities present at birth (congenital cardiac malformations). Normally, when clots in veins break off (embolize) , they travel first to the right side of the heart and, then to the lungs where they lodge. The lungs act as a filter to prevent the clots from entering the arterial circulation. However, when there is an ASD, a clot can cross from the right to the left side of the heart, then pass into the arteries as a paradoxical embolism. Once in the arterial circulation, a clot can travel to the brain, block a vessel there, and cause a stroke (cerebrovascular accident). Because of the risk of stroke from paradoxical embolism, it is usually recommended that even small ASDs be closed (repaired).
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