Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 31, 2026

Reduction of Iatrogenic Atrial Septal Defects with an Anterior and Inferior Transseptal Puncture Site when Operating the Cryoballoon Ablation Catheter
08:00

Reduction of Iatrogenic Atrial Septal Defects with an Anterior and Inferior Transseptal Puncture Site when Operating the Cryoballoon Ablation Catheter

Published on: June 15, 2015

Symptomatic atrial septal defect in infancy

N C Joshi1, R Dalvi, R H Merchant

  • 1Cardiology Clinic, B.J. Wadia Hospital for Children, Parel, Bombay.

Indian Pediatrics
|September 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Severe congestive heart failure in infants can be caused by isolated ostium secundum atrial septal defect (OS-ASD). Many infants with OS-ASD presented atypically, but most responded well to medical treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

  • Isolated ostium secundum atrial septal defect (OS-ASD) is a congenital heart defect that can rarely cause severe symptoms in infants.
  • Congestive heart failure in infants due to OS-ASD is uncommon and may present with atypical clinical findings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the echocardiographic findings, clinical course, and outcomes of infants admitted with severe congestive heart failure and isolated OS-ASD.
  • To investigate the diagnostic challenges and treatment responses in this specific pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 12 infants with severe congestive heart failure and isolated OS-ASD over a four-year period.
  • Analysis of echocardiographic data, clinical presentation, treatment interventions, and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

  • All 12 infants presented with atypical findings, including a parasternal holosystolic murmur and absence of wide fixed splitting of the second heart sound, leading to no initial clinical suspicion of ASD.
  • M-mode echocardiography revealed increased right ventricular distensibility in the absence of pulmonary hypertension.
  • Ten infants responded well to medical decongestive therapy; two underwent successful surgical closure, and two showed spontaneous closure.

Conclusions:

  • Isolated OS-ASD can present atypically in infants with severe congestive heart failure.
  • Early medical management is effective for most infants, with surgical or spontaneous closure being viable options for non-responders or specific cases.

More Related Videos

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure07:41

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure

Published on: February 8, 2022

A Pipeline to Characterize Structural Heart Defects in the Fetal Mouse08:19

A Pipeline to Characterize Structural Heart Defects in the Fetal Mouse

Published on: December 16, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Development of the Heart01:27

Development of the Heart

The development of the human heart, a crucial organ, commences from the mesoderm on the 18th or 19th day after fertilization. This process initiates in the cardiogenic area, a group of mesodermal cells at the embryo's head end, which evolves into elongated strands known as cardiogenic cords. These cords undergo a transformation to form hollow-centered endocardial tubes.
As the embryo undergoes lateral folding, these paired tubes approach each other, merging into a single primitive heart tube by...
Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction01:20

Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction

Mitral regurgitation is characterized by the backward circulation of blood from the left ventricle to the left atrium during systole, a phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart contracts and pumps blood out of the chambers. This abnormal flow occurs primarily due to the dysfunction of the mitral valve or its supporting structures, which include the mitral leaflets, chordae tendineae, annulus, and papillary muscles.Etiology and Mechanisms:Primary Mitral Regurgitation: This type arises from...
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction01:22

Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction

Mitral Valve Stenosis (MVS) is a heart condition where the mitral valve narrows, impeding blood circulation from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition are multifaceted, leading to a cascade of cardiovascular complications.Causes of Mitral Valve StenosisRheumatic Heart Disease: It is the main cause of mitral valve stenosis, particularly in developing nations. This condition arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory illness resulting from...
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests01:23

Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests

Mitral stenosis is a heart condition in which the mitral valve, which allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, becomes narrowed or stenotic. This narrowing hinders blood flow and leads to clinical symptoms requiring specific medical evaluations and management strategies. The following overview outlines the clinical symptoms, assessments, diagnostic findings, prevention methods, and treatments for mitral stenosis.Clinical ManifestationsDyspnea (shortness of breath): This...
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:22

Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) occurs when the aortic valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the aorta into the left ventricle. This backflow can result in two distinct clinical presentations: acute and chronic AR, each characterized by its own set of symptoms and physical findings.Acute Aortic RegurgitationAcute AR presents with a sudden onset of severe symptoms. Patients typically experience profound dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and signs of left...
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...