What is ASD Device Closure?
Atrial septal defect (ASD) transcatheter repair, also known as ASD device closure, is a procedure to fix a hole in the atrial septum. The atrial septum is a wall that separates the right and left upper chambers in the heart (atria). This hole is called an atrial septal defect or ASD.
When the septum does not form properly, you are born with an ASD (congenital defect). A "hole in the heart" is what it is commonly known as.
Atrial septal defects are the third most frequent type of congenital heart abnormality, and the most common among adults.
A secundum ASD is a hole in the septum's centre. Blood can flow from one side of the atria to the other through the hole. The direction is determined by the amount of pressure in the atria.
Because they do not show symptoms, many people are unaware that they have an ASD. When a chest X-ray for another illness reveals that the right side of the heart is larger than normal, some people learn about the defect.
Closure Device
A unique closure device is used to conduct percutaneous closure of PFO and ASD. The device is folded or attached to a special catheter, which is comparable to the catheter used during your catheterization procedure. The catheter is moved into the heart and through the defect after being put into a vein in the leg. The device is progressively pushed out of the catheter, allowing each side to expand up and cover each side of the opening (much like a sandwich), effectively closing the hole or defect. The device is removed from the particular catheter once it is in the appropriate place. Heart tissue grows over the implant over time, becoming a part of the heart. The procedure is monitored by X-ray and an ultrasound camera inserted in the heart from a vein in the top of the leg.
When is ASD Device Closure required?
When a child is between the ages of four and six, ASD Closure is advised if a moderate to large defect is there. When a problem is discovered in a young adult, the advantages of closure are significant.
Patients who don't qualify for catheter-based closure devices may need surgery to close their septal defect. There are minimally invasive and robotically assisted methods available. Congenital heart cardiologists, interventionalists, and surgeons collaborate to ensure that each patient receives the best treatment for their condition.
How is ASD Device Closure done?
Step 1
The procedure is done in a Cath lab. The surgeon will insert a small, flexible tube (catheter) into an artery in the groin. This tube will have a small device inside it.
Step 2
The surgeon will thread the tube through the blood vessel all the way to the atrial septum. X-ray images and echocardiograms may be used to see exactly where the tube is.
Step 3
The surgeon will push the small device out of the tube and place it across the hole in the atrial septum. Then the device will be secured in place. The tube will be removed through the blood vessel. The healthcare provider will close and bandage the site where the tube was inserted.
What is the Recovery after ASD Device Closure like?
After surgery, patients are taken to the intensive care unit and monitored. Pain is likely, and pain medication is given as appropriate. Patients also are on a respirator and have a breathing tube for the first few hours after surgery.
The length of the hospital stay depends on how quickly a patient recovers and can perform some physical activity.
What Results Can I Expect from ASD Device Closure?
The outlook after ASD surgery is excellent. Once an ASD has been closed, it's unlikely that more surgery will be needed.
