There is no role of medicines in closing the ASD.
Ostium primum, sinus venosus or coronary sinus type of atrial septal defects can be closed only by surgery.
Only ostium secundum (OS-ASD) with good rims around the defect can be closed in cath lab by putting an umbrella device (angiographically, without surgery) or else has to be closed by surgery.
Ideal age of closure of primum defect is between 2-3 years of age, sinus venosus defect (SVC/IVC type): around 5 years of age.
Ostium secundum defect (OS-ASD) generally closed between 2-4 years of age.
How we close OS-ASD (ostium secundum) by using a device?
ASD can be closed in cardiac cath lab (angiographically) by using thigh blood vessels that are connected with the heart in a beating heart.
Procedure is generally done under conscious sedation (sometimes in general anesthesia).
Patient can be discharged on next day and can perform daily activities without any fear. Within six months, device become endothelized and become a part of heart for life long.
This method of closure of ASDs does not produce scar on the chest. Patient needs to take tab aspirin for 6 months post-procedure.
Is the procedure safe?
Generally safe.
Dr Gaurav Agrawal is a Pediatric Cardiologist (Child and Fetal heart Specialist). Dr Agrawal is a pediatrician who has specialized training in the treatment of various child heart related problems (neonates to 18 years of age). He is also having a vast experience in fetal echocardiography.
He is one of the very few pediatricians in India who practices pediatric cardiology exclusively. Cardiac problems in children are common in children, sometimes life threating and often not diagnosed properly. Early diagnosis and timely treatment is very important. Areas of specific interest include child echocardiography including fetal echocardiography, diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac catheterization (pediatric cardiac holes closure by device, opening of obstructed cardiac valves by balloons etc).