Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)

Your Path

  • Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)

Etiology

  • Congenital inter-atrial connection
  • First manifestation can be in adulthood if smaller, w/patholphysiology developing over time→ up to 30s or 40s
  • Typically L to R shunting

Symptoms

  • Slowly progressive doe
  • Paradoxical emboli
  • Atrial dysrhythmias
  • Rarely platypnea-orthodexia→ Sob worse w/sitting up; Sob relieved by lying down

Physical Exam Findings

  • A fib
  • Fixed & widely split S2
  • Sometimes murmur from high flow across TV or PV
  • Stroke if paradoxical embolous