Atrial Septal DefectNancy McDaniel M.D.The heart in this defect has four chambers and four valves. The wall (septum) between the collecting chambers (atria) did not completely close and left a hole. The hole is called an atrial septal defect (ASD). This hole lets extra blood from the higher pressured left side go through the hole and into the right side of the heart. Extra blood on the right can cause a heart murmur and can cause heart failure over a long time. This hole can be fixed at surgery by placing some stitches to close the hole or by sewing a patch across the hole. Very small holes will sometimes close on their own and not need surgery.
 Normal Heart  |