Treated with Surgery
When the atrial septal defect is very large or close to the wall of the heart, a device cannot be safely used and surgery is needed to close the defect. If surgery is necessary, a person will receive general anesthesia so he or she doesn’t feel pain or move around during the surgery.
Atrial septal defect surgery involves making a cut in the chest so a surgeon can stitch the hole in the atrial septum closed or sew a patch of pericardium (layer covering the heart) over the defect. Eventually, the tissue of the heart heals over the patch or stitches, making the area smooth and nearly normal in appearance. Patients who have surgery for atrial septal defect usually leave the hospital within 3 to 4 days after surgery, if there are no problems.
Most people who have atrial septal defect corrected have a normal life expectancy and go on to live otherwise healthy lives. After the recovery period, people who have had atrial septal defect will be able to exercise, play sports, and do the other things they love – and perhaps do them even better than before!
No comments:
Post a Comment