When should surgery be performed for atrial septal defect?
Disease description:
An atrial septal defect and slight ventricular underdevelopment were detected six days after birth. Currently, there are no other significant issues except that the atrial septal defect has not yet closed. When should surgery for the atrial septal defect be performed?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Jianbin
Patients with atrial septal defects are generally recommended to undergo surgery when the defect enlarges to more than five millimeters. If an atrial septal defect is less than five millimeters and does not cause any symptoms, surgery is advised before the age of three; however, most individuals can safely wait until age three. When the margins of the defect are unfavorable, surgical repair via thoracotomy may be performed. If the margins are relatively firm and well-defined, a minimally invasive, non-surgical approach may be considered to close the atrial septal defect.
