We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Privacy Statement.
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital has several outpatient and urgent care centers throughout South Florida, including on-demand, virtual care.
Walk-in urgent care with no appointment needed.
Serving as your child's primary doctor's office.
Pediatric specialty consultations available closer to home.
A full range of comprehensive services all under one roof.
Connect with providers from the comfort of your own home.
With over 800 pediatric clinicians on staff, we’re dedicated to helping you connect with the right specialist for your needs.
We have expertise in treating children and educating families on hundreds of different conditions.
We use cutting-edge, specialized treatments and procedures to ensure the best care for your child.
Also known as: ASD, coronary sinus atrial septal defect
An Atrial Septal Defect is a heart condition that is present at birth due to abnormal development of the fetal heart during pregnancy. An ASD is a hole in the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart called the right and left atria.
Most of the time this heart defect occurs by chance, with no clear reason for their development.
An ASD may be discovered during your child's physical exam, while a pediatrician is listening to his/her heart. If a murmur (an abnormal heart sound) is detected, your child will be referred to a pediatric cardiologist for a diagnosis. Tests that a pediatric cardiologist may recommend include:
If the ASD is small, it may not cause problems and close up on its own as your child grows. In this case, your doctor may recommend monitoring your child's condition. Some ASDs are treated with cardiac catheterization, while other children need surgical repair. This condition is also treated with a Transcatheter Atrial Septal Defect Device Closure.
Reviewed by: Anthony F. Rossi, MD
This page was last updated on: July 15, 2021 03:31 PM
When the heartbeat is interrupted by unusual sounds such as blowing, whooshing or rasping, it’s called a heart murmur. Would you like to learn about more ways to get involved at Nicklaus Children's?*
Tricuspid atresia is a problem with the development of the right side of the heart where this valve has not developed, with a smaller than normal lower right pumping chamber. Would you like to learn about more ways to get involved at Nicklaus Children's?*
Your child may need atrial septal defect (ASD) repair if they have a hole between the two upper chambers of their heart. During ASD surgery, the physician sews a patch into the heart to close the hole.
Transcatheter atrial septal defect device closure is a minimally invasive solution for ASD that is as effective as open heart surgery. Would you like to learn about more ways to get involved at Nicklaus Children's?*