An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a hole in the wall (septum) between the two upper chambers of your heart (atria) and ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the defect between two lower chambers of the heart(ventricles). The condition is present at birth (congenital).

Some patients with ASD have no symptoms. If the opening is small, it won't cause symptoms because the additional work done by the heart and lungs is minimal.

If the opening is large, it may cause mild shortness of breath, especially with exercise.

TREATMENT:

Medications for symptoms

Definitive treatment Is closure by cardiac catheterization or surgery

When the hole is too big the open heart surgery is necessary, the surgeon will make an incision in the chest. Once the heart is reached , the hole will be closed with a patch.

The incision will be closed and covered with a sterile dressings .