Atrial septal defect Flashcards
What is the second most common congenital heart defect?
Atrial septal defect
What is ASD?
Septum between left and right atrium is not formed completely
What shunt occurs in ASD?
Left to right shunt
Pressure in left atrium is greater than in the right
In terms of cyanosis, what is ASD?
Acyanotic congenital heart disease
Why is ASD acyanotic?
Oxygenated blood from left atrium is forced into the right atrium
What might happen to the ASD if it is very small?
May close on its own
How many live births have an ASD?
9 in 1000
What percentage of CHDs do ASDs account for?
5-10%
Which sex is more prone to ASD and which one in particular?
Female
Ostium secundum
Describe the pathophysiology of ASD in terms of atrial septum embryology
Formed from 2 separate endocardial cushions in the 4th week of gestation
Primary atrial septum = septum primum (grows cranial to caudal), this closes off the ostium primum
The ostium secundum develops again from the atrial roof and grows downwards towards the septum primum
Foramen ovale = space between the septum primum and secundum
When does the foramen ovale close?
Shortly after birth
Why does the foramen ovale close?
Change in vascular resistance
Systemic BP increases as pulmonary pressure decreases with a decrease in RA pressure
List the 5 types of ASD in order of how commonly they occur
Patent foramen ovale Ostium secundum defect Ostium primum defect Sinus venosus defect Coronary sinus defect
Describe ostium secundum defect
When there is incomplete occlusion of ostium secundum by septum secundum or too much reabsorption of septum primum by the atrial roof
Describe ostium primum defects
When septum primum fails to fuse with the endocardial cushions allowing blood to travel from LA to RA
Name and describe the two types of ostium primum defects
Complete AVSD - Common AV valve but spanning from atria to ventricles
Partial AVSD - Defect just of the ostium primum with intact ventricular septum