I have a VSD, which is similar to an ASD, only in the ventricle. I too have wanted a doctor to close my hole, and have heard of many procedures to do it. . . most notably, a procedure called double umbrella. What my cardiologist (and I've seen a few, including the best at the Mayo Clinic) have told me that they will only close the hole depending on the size. My hole is considered small, so surgery would pose a bigger risk.
If surgery isn't being mentioned in your situation, I would hope it's because the doctors don't see it as a risk.
Hope this helps.
I am 41 years old, a mother of a teenage son & daughter, self employed, extremely active horseback riding lover. For as long as I can remember I have had sharp pains in my chest, fatigue & symptoms getting increasingly worse. I got to the point of having anxiety attacks and shortness of breath. My Dr. said I had hypothyroid. It was later dismissed. Then I was said to have chronic lung disease. That was dismissed. I kept going back due to constant chest pain with sharp painful stabbing, More attacks & shortness of breath. They wrote me up as needy. In Sept I was jumping my horse when I fell for no reason. I had 3 broken ribs & dislocated shoulder. The next day I was home alone, my husband had to work. The second day he stayed home because I was vomiting. The third day my Neurologist sister came out to visit me. Thank God! I had a massive stroke. I then ended up going to an excellent Neurologist whom my sister knew well. He discovered that I have an ASA/PFO/ASD with severe shunting. My lungs were filled with blood clots to the point that the Dr. is writing a paper about me for the Dr. journal. Two blood clots had nearly blocked my pulmonary arteries. I too was about to join a study program, but have refused to live on blood thinners, with chest pain, purple legs etc. Just to be "watched". I need my life back! I have found a Dr. who is performing a TEE on me this Fri. 3-14-08. They will see if my situation can be repaired via a transcatheter device implant . If not, surgery will be my only choice. Since I have already had a massive stroke reoccurance is high. Write me back if you want more info.
Jo Ann