OstiumsecundumDefekt

Ostium secundum defect, often abbreviated as ASD secundum, refers to the most common type of atrial septal defect. It is a congenital heart condition characterized by an abnormal opening between the two upper chambers of the heart, the atria. Specifically, this defect involves a deficiency in the septum primum, which is the tissue that forms the interatrial septum during fetal development. This allows oxygenated blood from the left atrium to flow across into the right atrium, a phenomenon known as a left-to-right shunt. The amount of blood shunted depends on the size of the defect and the relative pressures within the atria. Symptoms can vary widely depending on the size of the ASD and the degree of shunting. Small defects may be asymptomatic and go undetected throughout a person's life. Larger defects, however, can lead to an overload of blood in the right side of the heart and lungs, potentially causing shortness of breath, fatigue, palpitations, and an increased susceptibility to respiratory infections. Over time, untreated large ASD secundum defects can lead to pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure. Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination, echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart), and sometimes other cardiac imaging techniques. Treatment options range from observation for small, asymptomatic defects to percutaneous device closure or surgical repair for larger or symptomatic defects.