Outcomes 2013-2016

Atrial Septal Defect Repair

ASD is characterized by a hole between the atria (upper chambers of the heart). The majority of straightforward ASDs are closed percutaneously in the cath lab, without the need for surgery. Our interventional cardiologists are particularly adept at this procedure. However, a minority of patients will still require surgery. Typically, these patients have larger holes, or the position of the hole in the heart makes it difficult to close with a device.

When a child requires surgery for an ASD, we always will perform minimally-invasive surgery. Specialized instruments allow us to close these defects through tiny incisions. While cardiopulmonary bypass is still needed, it is more simplified than what we typically use in the repair of more serious defects. In most cases, patients do not require blood transfusions.