What should be paid attention to daily with an atrial septal defect?

Written by Di Zhi Yong

Cardiology

Updated on November 27, 2024

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If the patient has an atrial septal defect, it is advised that the patient should adhere to a light diet and regularly visit the hospital for electrocardiogram and echocardiography checks. If the defect is relatively large, I personally recommend surgical treatment for the patient, as it can effectively alleviate the current condition. After all, while drug treatment has some effect, there is a risk of recurrence. Surgery can permanently treat atrial septal defects and improve the patient’s symptoms. If the patient experiences difficulty breathing, this needs to be addressed. Additionally, it is important to keep warm, avoid catching cold, and monitor changes in the patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse.

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Written by Tang Li

Cardiology

1min 13sec

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Symptoms of an infant's room septal defect

Symptoms of ventricular septal defect in infants are as follows: 1. Symptoms: If the mother had intrauterine infections within the first three months of pregnancy, was exposed to significant amounts of radiation, took teratogenic medications, or had metabolic disorders, these factors could contribute to the condition. The patient is prone to recurrent respiratory infections and exhibits symptoms of palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, and excessive sweating. If these symptoms worsen after physical activity or crying and are accompanied by cyanosis, congenital heart disease should be considered. Cyanosis can intensify during severe crying episodes, pneumonia, or heart failure in infants, and may be accompanied by a hoarse voice. 2. Physical signs: Notable findings include a bulging in the precordial area and diffuse apical impulse. A soft, systolic murmur can be heard between the second and third ribs along the left margin of the sternum.

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Written by Tang Li

Cardiology

1min 38sec

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Can someone with an atrial septal defect get pregnant?

Whether patients with atrial septal defects can become pregnant depends on the following factors: 1. Whether the patient normally has symptoms. 2. Whether the echocardiography indicates heart enlargement or pulmonary hypertension. 3. The size of the atrial septal defect. 4. Whether there is a combination of arrhythmias such as atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation, and complications such as pulmonary hypertension or heart failure. For those without symptoms, and where the defect does not cause pulmonary hypertension or right heart enlargement, choosing to become pregnant is possible. Complications are not common in pregnant women with isolated atrial septal defects without pulmonary hypertension. Studies have shown that the incidence of complications in pregnant women, whether the defect is repaired or not, is relatively low. If the patient has related arrhythmias and complications, it should be closely monitored, because the cardiovascular system of the mother undergoes changes during pregnancy, leading to increased cardiac workload and a higher burden on the heart, which in turn can increase the incidence of arrhythmias. For women who are already at high risk of atrial flutter or fibrillation, this risk can increase further. Additionally, pregnant women are in an older physiological state, making it easier to form blood clots, and for those with atrial septal defects, the risk of paradoxical thrombosis increases.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong

Cardiology

1min

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Is a ventricular septal defect with pulmonary hypertension mild or severe?

The most common complication of atrial septal defect is pulmonary hypertension, which can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Generally, mild pulmonary hypertension is not a major issue and is not considered very serious. However, moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension often accompanies repeated coughing, shortness of breath after exercise, or difficulty breathing. This situation is relatively serious and it is advisable to undergo surgery as soon as possible. If the condition reaches a severe stage, pulmonary hypertension could continuously increase. Furthermore, in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension, closing the atrial septum can lead to severe breathing difficulties and increased shortness of breath. Therefore, it is crucial to closely monitor patients with pulmonary hypertension.

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Written by Cai Li E

Cardiology

1min 38sec

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Atrial septal defect can cause which complications?

Small atrial septal defects generally are asymptomatic, whereas medium to large atrial septal defects may result in pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure. The impact of an atrial septal defect on hemodynamics mainly depends on the amount of shunting, which in turn is determined by the size of the defect. It also relates to the compliance of the left and right ventricles and the relative resistance of the systemic and pulmonary circulation. Continued increase in pulmonary blood flow leads to pulmonary congestion, increasing right heart volume load. Pulmonary vascular compliance decreases, evolving from functional to organic pulmonary hypertension. This in turn continuously increases right heart system pressure until it surpasses the pressure of the left heart system, causing the original left-to-right shunt to reverse to a right-to-left shunt, leading to cyanosis. Atrial septal defects are generally asymptomatic but with the progression of the condition, symptoms such as exertional dyspnea, arrhythmias, and right heart failure may occur. In the advanced stages, about 15% of patients with severe pulmonary hypertension exhibit a right-to-left shunt and cyanosis, leading to the formation of Eisenmenger syndrome.

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Written by Li Hai Wen

Cardiology

47sec

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What does atrial septal defect mean?

Atrial septal defect is a relatively common type of congenital heart disease encountered clinically. In simple terms, the human heart has four chambers: the left atrium, right atrium, left ventricle, and right ventricle. Between the left and right atria, there is a structure called the atrial septum, which separates the two atria. If there is a hole in this septum, this condition is referred to as an atrial septal defect. Atrial septal defects are common congenital heart conditions, and when the defect is severe, it often accompanies heart failure and other complications. Under such circumstances, it is crucial to visit a cardiologist for a formal assessment to determine the necessity and approach to treatment.