Congenital

Atrial Septal Defect (Adult).

Expert second opinions for atrial septal defect (adult). Dual-physician Heart Team review with triple risk scoring. Results in 24 hours.

1 in 1,500 live births
Prevalence
Device closure mortality <0.1%, surgical <1%
Key Outcome
Device closure for secundum ASDs when anatomy permits
Procedures
Quick Answer

Atrial Septal Defect (Adult) are openings in the wall between the upper heart chambers. If you are facing a decision about atrial septal defect (adult), an independent Heart Team second opinion can confirm whether surgery is the right choice and identify alternatives. WhiteGloveMD delivers dual-physician review with STS, EuroSCORE II, and AATS risk scoring in 24 hours. Get an independent second opinion →

Overview

Understanding atrial septal defect (adult).

Atrial septal defects (ASDs) are openings in the wall between the upper heart chambers. Some ASDs are diagnosed in childhood; others remain undetected until adulthood. Significant ASDs cause right heart volume overload, leading to atrial fibrillation, pulmonary hypertension, and heart failure if untreated.

Why It Matters

Why you need a second opinion.

ASD closure in adults involves choosing between transcatheter device closure and surgical repair. Secundum ASDs are usually amenable to device closure, while sinus venosus, primum, and coronary sinus defects typically require surgery. Assessment of pulmonary hypertension reversibility, concurrent AF management, and partial anomalous pulmonary venous return all require expert evaluation.

Critical Decisions

Key decisions for atrial septal defect (adult).

Device closure vs surgical repair
Assessment of ASD type and rim adequacy
Pulmonary hypertension evaluation and reversibility
Concurrent AF management (Maze procedure)
Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return management
Risk Factors

What affects your risk.

ASD type and size
Rim deficiency for device closure
Pulmonary hypertension degree
Right ventricular function
Associated anomalous pulmonary veins
Our Review

What our Heart Team provides.

Dual-physician review (cardiac surgeon + cardiologist)
Triple risk scoring (STS PROM, EuroSCORE II, AATS)
ACC/AHA guideline mapping with evidence grades
Treatment alternatives with risk-benefit comparison
Surgeon and institution matching via Sentinel
Personalized question guide for your next appointment
Complete provenance trail for every conclusion
Results delivered within 24 hours
Common Questions

Frequently asked questions.

Do I need surgery for atrial septal defect (adult)?

Surgery for atrial septal defect (adult) depends on symptom severity, imaging findings, and risk profile. Guidelines from the AHA/ACC define specific thresholds, but many patients fall into gray zones where a second opinion meaningfully changes the recommendation. ASD closure in adults involves choosing between transcatheter device closure and surgical repair. Secundum ASDs are usually amenable to device closure, while sinus venosus, primum, and coronary sinus defects typically require surgery. Assessment of pulmonary hypertension reversibility, concurrent AF management, and partial anomalous pulmonary venous return all require expert evaluation.

What are the risks of atrial septal defect (adult) surgery?

Operative mortality for atrial septal defect (adult)-related cardiac surgery is calculated using validated models including STS PROM, EuroSCORE II, and AATS. Individual risk depends on age, comorbidities, frailty, ejection fraction, and surgeon/center volume. Our free calculator at whiteglovemd.com/tools/risk-calculator estimates your specific risk across all three models in real time.

Should I get a second opinion before atrial septal defect (adult) surgery?

Yes. Studies show that 30-40% of expert cardiac surgery second opinions change the original treatment plan — sometimes by recommending less-invasive alternatives, sometimes by clarifying that watchful waiting is safer. WhiteGloveMD pairs a cardiac surgeon and cardiologist with our Clintelligence multi-agent AI pipeline to deliver an independent review in 24 hours, starting at $500.

What is the best treatment for atrial septal defect (adult)?

The optimal treatment for atrial septal defect (adult) depends on anatomy, comorbidities, age, and personal goals. Device closure vs surgical repair. A Heart Team review evaluates every viable option — including transcatheter approaches, repair vs replacement, and surgeon/center matching — rather than defaulting to a single recommendation.

Clinical References
  1. Stout KK, Daniels CJ, Aboulhosn JA, et al. 2018 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of Adults With Congenital Heart Disease. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019;73(12):e81-e192.
  2. O'Brien SM, Feng L, He X, et al. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2018 Adult Cardiac Surgery Risk Models. Ann Thorac Surg. 2018;105(5):1411-1418.
  3. Nashef SAM, Roques F, Sharples LD, et al. EuroSCORE II. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2012;41(4):734-745.

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Related conditions.

Coronary Artery Anomalies
Ventricular Septal Defect (Adult)
Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)
Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
Septal Myectomy
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Get an expert opinion on your atrial septal defect (adult).

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