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Secundum atrial septal defect, or ASD, is a hole in the atrial septum that separates the atria. This allows oxygen-poor blood to flow from the left atria into the right atria. This increases the volume of blood in the heart. As a result both atria, the right ventricle, and the pulmonary artery are enlarged.
Most ASD secundum defects can be closed by interventional catheterization technique. Most closures are carried out with an Amplatzer Septal Occluder Device. The specialized catheter is inserted through the inferior vena cava into the right atrium left atrium of the heart. The Amplatzer device is expanded and snapped into position. The device closes the defect and the catheter is removed.
ID# :cvml_0348a
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