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Copyright 1986, 1994, 1999, 2006
Synonyms of Atrial Septal Defects
Disorder Subdivisions
- Ostium Primum Defect (endocardial cushion defects included)
- Ostium Secundum Defect
- Sinus Venosus
General Discussion
Atrial septal defects (ASDs) are a group of rare disorders of the heart that are present at birth (congenital) and involve a hole in the wall (septum) that separates the two upper-chambers (atria) of the heart.
Normally the heart has four chambers: two upper chambers known as atria that are separated from each other by a fibrous partition known as the atrial septum and two lower chambers known as ventricles that are separated from each other by the ventricular septum. Valves connect the atria (left and right) to their respective ventricles. A small opening between the two atria (foramen ovale) is present at birth. Shortly after birth, the atrial septum gradually grows and seals this opening. In infants with atrial septal defects, the atrial septum may not close properly or may be malformed during fetal development. In these disorders, the opening (called patent foramen ovale) between the atria persists long after it should be closed, resulting in an increase in the workload on the right side of the heart and excessive blood flow to the lungs.
Initially, the symptoms associated with atrial septal defects may be absent or so mild that they may go unnoticed. Frequently this disorder is not recognized until school age or even adulthood. In adults with undetected atrial septal defects, various respiratory problems and/or heart failure may develop.
Several forms of atrial septal defects are recognized. They are classified according to their location in the septum. The term primum refers to defects that are in the lower part of the septum. The term secundum refers to defects that are located in the middle of the septum, and the term sinus venosus refers to defects in the upper part of the septum.
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Organizations related to Atrial Septal Defects
- American Heart Association
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas TX 75231-4596
Phone #: 214-373-6300
800 #: 800-242-8721
e-mail: Review.personal.info@heart.org
Home page: http://www.americanheart.org
- American Lung Association
1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington DC 20004
Phone #: 202-785-3355
800 #: 800-586-4872
e-mail: info@lungusa.org
Home page: http://www.lungusa.org
- Congenital Heart Information Network (C.H.I.N.)
101 N Washington Ave, Suite 1A
101 N Washington Ave, Suite 1A
Margate City NJ 08402-1195
Phone #: 609-822-1572
800 #: --
e-mail: mb@tchin.org
Home page: http://www.tchin.org
- Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg MD 20898-8126
Phone #: 301-251-4925
800 #: 888-205-2311
e-mail: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/EmailForm.aspx
Home page: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD
- Kids With Heart National Association for Children's Heart Disorders, Inc.
P.O Box 12504
Green Bay WI 54307-2504
Phone #: 920-498-0058
800 #: 800-538-5390
e-mail: michelle@kidswithheart.org
Home page: http://www.kidswithheart.org
- Little Hearts, Inc.
P.O. Box 171
110 Court Street, Suite 3A
Cromwell CT 06416
Phone #: 860-635-0006
800 #: 866-435-4673
e-mail: info@littlehearts.org
Home page: http://www.littlehearts.org
- MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay WI 54301-1243
Phone #: 920-336-5333
800 #: 877-336-5333
e-mail: mums@netnet.net
Home page: http://www.netnet.net/mums/
- Madisons Foundation
PO Box 241956
Los Angeles CA 90024
Phone #: 310-264-0826
800 #: N/A
e-mail: getinfo@madisonsfoundation.org
Home page: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org
- March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains NY 10605
Phone #: 914-997-4488
800 #: 888-663-4637
e-mail: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Home page: http://www.marchofdimes.com
- NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Information Center
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda MD 20824-0105
Phone #: 301-592-8573
800 #: --
e-mail: nhlbiinfo@rover.nhlbi.nih.gov
Home page: N/A
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