Atrial Septal Defect Surgery Success Rates in Infants

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is a common type of congenital heart disease caused by abnormal development of the septum between the heart's two upper chambers. This condition results in a hole that remains after birth, allowing blood to flow between the left and right atria. While the defect can vary in size and location, medical science has developed effective surgical interventions that offer excellent outcomes.

High Success Rates of ASD Repair

When treating isolated cases of atrial septal defects, surgical success rates are remarkably high—often exceeding 99%. Two primary treatment options are available: catheter-based closure using a closure device (often referred to as an "umbrella") and traditional open-heart surgery. Both methods have proven to be safe and effective when performed by experienced medical teams.

Understanding Minimally Invasive Catheter Closure

Eligibility Criteria for Device Closure

Not all patients are suitable candidates for the less invasive catheter procedure. This technique requires specific anatomical conditions: the defect should be centrally located within the atrial septum, and the patient must be at least three years old. Additionally, the size of the defect must accommodate the closure device, and there must be sufficient space between the device and surrounding heart valves to ensure proper valve function after placement.

Choosing the Right Treatment Approach

While traditional open-heart surgery remains an option for more complex cases or unusual defect locations, the majority of atrial septal defects today can be successfully closed using the catheter-based umbrella technique. This minimally invasive approach typically results in shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, and reduced scarring compared to open-chest procedures.