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Interatrial communications (atrial septal defects)

Last reviewed: 5 Oct 2024
Last updated: 06 Aug 2024

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • systolic ejection murmur
  • fixed splitting of the second heart sound
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • mid-diastolic murmur
  • congestive cardiac failure
  • faltering growth
  • symptoms of atrial arrhythmias
  • cyanosis
  • finger clubbing
Full details

Risk factors

  • female sex
  • maternal alcohol consumption
  • positive family history
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • echocardiogram
  • ECG
  • chest x-ray
Full details

Tests to consider

  • pulse oximetry
  • chest CT/MRI
  • cardiac catheterization
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) <5 Wood units (WU) and Qp:Qs <1.5

PVR <5 WU and Qp:Qs ≥1.5, or evidence of right atrial enlargement

PVR ≥5 WU

Contributors

Authors

Christoph Haller, MD

Staff Cardiovascular Surgeon

Division of Cardiovascular Surgery

Labatt Family Heart Centre

The Hospital for Sick Children

Assistant Professor

University of Toronto

Toronto

Canada

Disclosures

CH declares that he has no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

Dr Christoph Haller would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Sachin Khambadkone, Dr Brandon Lane Phillips, Dr Frank Cetta, and Dr David J. Driscoll, previous contributors of this topic.

Disclosures

SK, BLP, FC, and DJD declare that they have no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Chawki Elzein, MD

Professor of Surgery

University of Illinois at Chicago

Advocate Children's Hospital

Chicago

IL

Disclosures

CE declares that he has no competing interests.

  • Interatrial communications (atrial septal defects) images
  • Differentials

    • Partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage
    • Ventricular septal defect
    • Patent ductus arteriosus
    More Differentials
  • Guidelines

    • ACR Appropriateness Criteria® congenital or acquired heart disease
    • 2023 ESC guidelines for the management of infective endocarditis
    More Guidelines
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