Can atrial septal defect be operated on?

Surgery for atrial septal defects depends on factors such as defect size, location, patient age, and health status. Conditions that may be considered include large defects, causing arrhythmias or other cardiac problems, increasing the risk of infectious endocarditis, symptomatic, or affecting quality of life and life expectancy. Surgical options include transcatheter closure and thoracotomy, and the choice should be evaluated individually for each individual patient. Surgical success depends on a number of factors, including the size, location, age, and health of the defect. In general, surgical treatment may be considered for: 1. The atrial septal defect is large, resulting in increased blood flow between the left atrium and the right atrium of the heart, which may affect heart function.2. The atrial septal defect causes arrhythmia or other cardiac problems.3. The atrial septal defect may increase the risk of infectious endocarditis. 4. The patient has symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, palpitations, etc. 5. Atrial septal defects may affect a patient's quality of life or life expectancy. For some smaller atrial septal defects, especially in children, they may close on their own over time. In this case, your doctor may perform periodic echocardiograms to monitor changes in the defect. Surgical treatment of atrial septal defects includes transcatheter closure, in which a catheter is inserted through a vessel and an occluder is placed in the atrial septal defect to close the defect, and thoracotomy, in which the defect is repaired directly through a chest incision. The timing and method of surgical treatment should be evaluated individually according to the specific conditions of the patient. Before deciding whether to perform surgery, doctors usually perform detailed cardiac examinations, including echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, to understand the structure and function of the heart. It is important to note that surgery to treat atrial septal defects is an effective method, but there are certain risks. Before considering surgical treatment, patients and their families should fully communicate with their doctors to understand the risks and benefits of surgery, and make decisions based on their doctors' suggestions. In addition, for some special groups, such as pregnant women, the elderly, or those with other serious diseases, the risks of surgical treatment may increase and require more careful assessment and decision-making. In summary, there are many factors that should be considered when determining whether an ASD is operable. If there is any doubt about the treatment of an ASD, it is recommended that you consult a cardiologist for personalized advice and guidance.