Septal Defects (Hole in the Heart)

Lee Health: Your Trusted Heart Specialists For Treating Your Septal Defect

A common problem present at birth, it is important to know your treatment options and risks associated with septal defects. Lee Health cardiology specialists are here to help you understand and treat your septal defect.  

What is a septal defect?

The normal heart is responsible for efficiently receiving and pumping blood. Septal defects negatively impact the function of your heart. Also referred to as "a hole in the heart," septal defects are diagnosed when blood is able to flow between the heart's left and right chambers due to an opening in the wall that separates the two sides (the septum). 

Types of septal defects include:

• Atrial septal defect (ASD) — The opening is between the two upper chambers of the heart, the left and the right atrium. This defect allows blood to flow back into the lungs.
• Ventricular septal defect (VSD) — The opening is between the two lower chambers of the heart, the left and the right ventricle. This defect allows blood to flow back into the right ventricle instead of into the aorta.
• Eisenmenger's complex — Ventricular septal defect coupled with high blood pressure in the lungs, that may also include a malpositioned aorta that receives blood from both ventricles.
• Atrioventricular canal defect — The opening is between the upper and lower chambers of the heart. Blood is allowed to flow from the lungs, to the left side of the heart, to the right side of the heart, then back to the lungs (instead of the rest of the body).

What are the symptoms of a septal defect?

Children born with atrial septal defect may not have any symptoms early in life, but may have complications later. The size of the septal defect will influence what symptoms are present, and whether a doctor detects a heart murmur during physical exams. In babies, if a septal defect is small, it usually will close on its own without the baby showing any signs of the defect, however a large hole may cause symptoms such as:

Most common symptoms of a septal defect are:

• Slow growth
• High blood pressure in the lungs
• Cyanosis (a bluish color to the skin)
• Heart murmur

How is a septal defect treated?

Treatments for a septal defects depend on the size of the hole and the problems it might causes. Depending on the size of the hole, symptoms, and general health your doctor will help you understand your best options for treatment and lifestyle adjustments if needed.

Septal defects can be detected by an echocardiogram or transesophageal echo cardiogram. Once your Lee Health cardiologist has diagnosed your condition, they will work with you to choose the best treatment option for you.  If treatment is required, non-surgical repair or surgical repair of the opening is typically successful in restoring normal circulation. These could include cardiac catheterization or open heart surgery.

What is Lee Health's approach?

Lee Health excels at nonsurgical ASD repair. Prior to the procedure, a patient will have a cardiac catheterization to assess the exact size and location of the defect. During the procedure, a closure device is attached to a catheter, which is inserted into a vein in the groin and advanced to the heart and through the defect with the assistance of x-ray and intracardiac echo. The cardiologist will push the closure device out of the catheter slowly so that it opens to cover each edge of the defect, sealing it closed. Over time, scar tissue grows over the closure device and it becomes part of the heart.

As the largest health system in the region, Lee Health is involved in the latest treatment and research on septal defects.

Who should I contact?

For more information on atrial septal defects and closure repair, please contact your doctor. If you don't have a doctor, call Lee Physician Group at 239-481-4111.