WMJ : official publication of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin
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Atrial septal defects are among the most common congenital heart defects seen in the adult population. The diagnosis is usually made in children and closure is attempted before they are school age. In other cases, where the diagnosis is missed until adulthood, atrial arrhythmias and congestive heart failure are commonly seen. ⋯ The patient was referred for closure of the atrial septal defect. Presently, the options for septal defect closure are direct suture repair, Dacron patch repair depending on the size of the defect, and percutaneous transcatheter closure. Transcatheter closure is also available in treating selected patients with patent foramen ovale.