Device Closure of Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is a procedure to fix a hole in the atrial septum. The atrial septum is a wall that separates the right and left upper chambers in the heart (atria). This hole is called an atrial septal defect or ASD.
The percutaneous closure of ASD is performed using a special closure device. The device is folded or attached on to a special catheter, similar to the catheter used during your catheterization. The catheter is inserted into a vein in the leg and advanced into the heart and through the defect. The device is slowly pushed out of the catheter allowing each side of the device to open up and cover each side of the hole (like a sandwich), closing the hole or defect. When the device is in proper position, it is released from the special catheter. Over time, heart tissue grows over the implant, becoming part of the heart. The ASD closure procedures are monitored by X-ray and an ultrasound camera inserted in the heart from a vein in the top of the leg.
The advantages of transcatheter device closure are:
- No need for cardiopulmonary bypass (use of the heart-lung machine) or cardioplegia (temporarily stopping the heart).
- No large surgical scar on the chest. At the end of the procedure, there are only small needle puncture marks at the groin region; stitches are also not necessary.
- Minimal pain compared to surgery.
- Shorter hospital stay – the child can be discharged the day after the procedure.