Atrial Septal Defect Essay

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Sadly there are many pediatric heart conditions in the world that are treated every day, and many more arise as well these cases include ASD, VSD, PDA and TOF. The first major condition being Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). This defect is actually in the septum the wall that separates the right and left sides of the heart. A hole in the wall between the two upper chambers is called an atrial septal defect, or (ASD). This is one of the least complex forms of congenital heart defect of the many in infants, and was one of the first types to actually be repaired surgically. Normally, low-oxygen blood entering the right side of the heart stays on the right side, and subsequently oxygen-rich blood stays on the left side of the heart, where it is then pumped to the body and tissues. When a defect or "hole" is present between the atria (or upper chambers of heart), some oxygen-rich blood leaks back to the right side of the heart. It then goes back to the lungs even though it is already rich enough in oxygen. Because of this, there is a significant increase in the blood that goes to the lungs overall.
Atrial septal defects can …show more content…

Normally blood entering the right side of the heart stays on the right side (this is low-oxygen blood), and blood on the left side of the heart stays on the left side (this is oxygen-rich blood) which is then pumped to the rest of the body. But in this particular condition when a defect or "hole" is present between the ventricles (or lower chambers), blood from the left side of the heart is forced through the defect to the right side every time the heart beats. It then goes back to the lungs even though it is already rich in oxygen. Because of this, blood that is not yet oxygen-rich can 't get to the lungs. The most common signs and symptoms are trouble eating and gaining weight, breathlessness and easy fatigability in

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