Atrial Septal Defect Overview What is atrial septal defect? A
person with an atrial septal defect has a hole in the atrial
septum. The atrial septum is the wall that separates the upper
chambers of the heart, called atria. Atrial septal defects are
present at birth, but are usually recognized in adulthood when
symptoms occur, or when a heart murmur is discovered. What are
the symptoms of atrial septal defect? Most children with atrial
septal defect do not have symptoms. When symptoms occur they may
include: fatigue, shortness of breath with exertion, and
palpitations. How does the doctor treat atrial septal defect?
Treatment for atrial septal defect involves surgery to repair
the hole in the atrial septum. This may be done with a special
catheter that is threaded into the heart. Continue to Atrial
Septal Defect Incidence - Baskett RJ, Tancock E, Ross DB. The
gold standard for atrial septal defect closure: current surgical
results, with an emphasis on morbidity. Pediatr Cardiol. 2003
Sep-Oct;24(5):444-7.  - Gr