[14] Atrial Septal Defect Flashcards
What is an atrial septal defect (ASD)?
A heart defect where blood flows between the two atria of the heart
What are the two main types of ASD?
- Secundum ASD
- Partial atrioventricular septal defects (AVSD or primum ASD)
What is the more common type of ASD?
Secundum ASD
Secundum ASD accounts for what percentage of ASD’s?
80%
What is a secundum ASD?
A defect of the atrioventricular septum involving the foramen ovale
What is the foramen ovale?
A foetal cardiac shunt that allows flow of blood from the right to left atrium
What may cause a secundum ASD?
- Failure of the septum secundum to develop
- Enlarged foramen ovale
What is a partial AVSD?
A defect in the inferior atrial septum (septum primum) and a regurgitant left atrioventricular valve leading to left to right communication
What are the risk factors for ASD?
- Female
- Family history
- Maternal alcohol consumption
- Down’s Syndrome
What is the common presentation of an ASD?
Commonly no symptoms
If symptoms are present, what might they be?
- Recurrent chest infections
- Wheeze
- Arrhythmias
What are the physical signs of an ASD?
- Ejection systolic murmur
- Fixed and widely split second heart sound
What sound is specifically heard in a partial AVSD?
Apical pansystolic murmur
Where is the ejection systolic murmur best heard?
Upper left sternal edge
What causes the ejection systolic murmur in ASD?
Increased flow across the pulmonary valve