ASD repairs

Posted by Debbie on May 12, 1999 at 09:25:34
A good friend of mine was recently diagnosed with atrial septal defect (ASD).  She had a cath done a few weeks ago.  It showed the defect at about the size of a large eraser.  Can you explain the options for surgery? Is a sternotomy the best way or is a mammary incision a good option.  If the mammary incision is used, how do you clamp the aorta?  I'd appreciate your help.  She's not able to find a lot of info here locally.

Posted by Carolyn on May 12, 1999 at 10:35:12
I am a 20 yr. old female.  I was diagnosed with an ASD a 1 1/2 ago.  The ASD was repaired a week after I found out.  Currently, I have developed hypertension and I later found out that I have exercised induced asthma.  It seeems lately that I have been getting dizzy when I stood up from sittint.  Also, I would get blurred vision, lose my balance, and get tremendous pressure in my head all at the same time.  This would happen at least three times a day.  I mentioned this to my pulmonalogist and he suggested that I tell my cardiologist.  I haven't mentioned it yet but, since then I have fainted three times feeling all those symtoms (symptoms) I mentioned before.  Sometimes when I'm lying in bed, I can feel my heart beating all the way through my back to the point where I can feel it vibrating on the bed.  Also, there are times where I just feel my heart beating really fast.  I don't know what to think of all this. Could you tell me what you think?

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on May 12, 1999 at 10:41:53
Dear Carolyn,
I'm not sure what is going on.  Did you actually pass out, or just feel like you were going to pass out?  Did your doctors tell you if you had pulmonary hypertension?  Was there any damage to the heart? Has anyone evaluated you for these new symptoms?
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