Atrial septal defect (ASD)

• secundum type—90%

• remainder are primum type; this is associated with other anomalies

• high pulmonary to systemic flow ratios—5:1, 10:1, 15:1

• often not symptomatic until adulthood

• almost never causes sudden death in infants and childhood

• pulmonary hypertension

  • late onset

  • occurs in 10% of cases

• very amenable to treatment via transvascular devices

diagram of ASD

• blood goes from left to right atrium

• not a cyanotic condition

gross specimen: secundum type ASD

• in the fetus, blood flow goes through the ductus venosus up to the right atrium, and crosses the foramen ovale immediately to enter the left heart. the blood then enters systemic circulation. very little goes into lungs, and what does go into the lungs is for nourishment only, not respiration

gross specimen: primum type ASD

Category: Pathology Notes