Surgically
This procedure is done through open heart surgery (sternotomy or thoracotomy) using an ECC where the heart is stopped to allow a system of special cannulas to be placed. The hole is closed by a direct suture (sewing) if the hole is small enough or if the hole is larger, suturing (sewing) a small patch of pericardium (heart tissue or skin) or fabric to close the hole.To increase quality life following ASD procedures/surgeries, patients should have a physical exam and ECG every 3, 6, and 12 months with their cardiologist. For many patients with secundum ASD closure repair, they can return to their normal activities unless their procedure was heart catheterization which in this case they should rest for a few days. All patients should remain on blood thinner medication for at least 6 months and up to a year unless the patient had a stroke in which they would always be on blood thinners. Patients with coronary artery disease or pulmonary hypertension will take additional medicines described by their physician. For patients who had heart surgery to repair the defect or received a transcatheter closure device, they will need to take some form of antibiotics to prevent infections such as endocarditis for at least 6 months following the procedure.Success with ASD closure is very high, 96% for percutaneous procedures and 100% of ASD surgeries as found by one research group.
Signs and symptoms
A list of the common side effects broken down by frequency.Very frequent

Abnormal gastrointestinal tract
Absent pectoral muscles
Brachydactyly (Short fingers)
Dextrocardia
Diaphragmatic hernia/defect
Humerus absent/abnormal
Liver/biliary tract anomalies
Maternal diabetes
Oligodactyly/missing fingers
Radius absent/abnormal
Rhizomelic micromelia (relatively shorter proximal segment of the limbs compared to the middle and the distal segments)
Sparsity or abnormality of axillary hair on affected side
Syndactyly of fingers (webbing)
Ulna absent/abnormal
Upper limb asymmetry
Abnormal rib
Simian crease on affected sideFrequent

Hypoplastic/absent nipples
Scapula anomalyOccasional

Agenesis/hypoplasia of kidneys
Encephalocele/exencephaly
Abnormal morphology of hypothalamic-hypophyseal axis
Abnormal function of hypothalamic-hypophyseal axis
Microcephaly
Preaxial polydactyly
Ureteric anomalies (reflux/duplex system)
Vertebral segmentation anomalyIt is usually considered a unilateral condition. Some have claimed that the term can be applied in bilateral presentation, but others recommend using alternate terminology in those cases. Causes
The cause of Poland syndrome is unknown. However, an interruption of the embryonic blood supply to the arteries that lie under the collarbone (subclavian arteries) at about the 46th day of embryonic development is the prevailing theory.The subclavian arteries normally supply blood to embryonic tissues that give rise to the chest wall and hand. Variations in the site and extent of the disruption may explain the range of signs and symptoms that occur in Poland syndrome. Abnormality of an embryonic structure called the apical ectodermal ridge, which helps direct early limb development, may also be involved in this disorder. Diagnosis
Poland syndrome is usually diagnosed at birth, based upon the physical characteristics. Imaging techniques such as a CT scan may reveal the extent to which the muscles are affected. The syndrome varies in severity and as such is often not reported until puberty, when lopsided growth becomes apparent.