Atrial septal defect history and symptoms: Difference between revisions
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{{Atrial septal defect}} | {{Atrial septal defect}} | ||
{{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief:''' [[Priyamvada Singh|Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S.]] | {{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief:''' [[Priyamvada Singh|Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S.]] [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org]; {{CZ}} '''Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief:''' [[Kristin Feeney|Kristin Feeney, B.S.]] [mailto:kfeeney@perfuse.org] | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
The development of symptoms associated with atrial septal defect relates to the '''size''' and '''severity''' of '''intracardiac shunting''' of blood across the defect. A large atrial septal defect will result in the presentation of symptoms at a younger age. However, smaller, less severe defects may be asymptomatic until adulthood. Smaller defects cause less hemodynamic disruptions. As a person ages, the potential for the development of symptoms increases. Adults, especially those over the age of 40, will become symptomatic. Nearly all adults with an atrial septal defect will present with symptom onset by the age of 60. | The development of symptoms associated with atrial septal defect relates to the '''size''' and '''severity''' of '''intracardiac shunting''' of blood across the defect. A large atrial septal defect will result in the presentation of symptoms at a younger age. However, smaller, less severe defects may be asymptomatic until adulthood. Smaller defects cause less hemodynamic disruptions. As a person ages, the potential for the development of symptoms increases. Adults, especially those over the age of 40, will become symptomatic. Nearly all adults with an atrial septal defect will present with symptom onset by the age of 60. | ||
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [2]; Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [3] Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [4]
Overview
The development of symptoms associated with atrial septal defect relates to the size and severity of intracardiac shunting of blood across the defect. A large atrial septal defect will result in the presentation of symptoms at a younger age. However, smaller, less severe defects may be asymptomatic until adulthood. Smaller defects cause less hemodynamic disruptions. As a person ages, the potential for the development of symptoms increases. Adults, especially those over the age of 40, will become symptomatic. Nearly all adults with an atrial septal defect will present with symptom onset by the age of 60.
Symptoms
The presentation of atrial septal defects depends on size of the defect, amount of shunt, and associated anomalies. Depending on these the patient could be asymptomatic or present with symptoms due to right heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and arrythmias. Less severe defects can be undetected during examination and present subtle symptoms, if at all. Symptom onset can occur gradually as patients age and the defect becomes more influential on the heart's functioning.[1]
Common symptoms
- Shortness of breath, especially when exercising
- Fatigue, tires easily, especially with exertion/exercise
- Poor growth/failure to thrive
- Swelling of feet and ankle or abdomen (suggesting right sided heart failure)
- Heart palpitations or skipped beats (racing heart, awareness of heart beats)
- Recurrent respiratory infections
Less common symptoms include
- Weakness of different parts of body (stroke) due to paradoxical embolization[2], [3]
- Migraine
- Bluish skin color
Rapidity of Symptom Onset
Atrial septal defect patients are often asymptomatic until later in life. The majority of people with atrial septal defects may not experience any symptoms until after the age of 40. Nearly all atrial septal defect patients will manifest symptoms by the age of 60. Symptoms may become more rapid in onset as patients get progressively older.
References
- ↑ Craig RJ, Selzer A (1968). "Natural history and prognosis of atrial septal defect". Circulation. 37 (5): 805–15. PMID 5646864.
- ↑ Loscalzo J (1986). "Paradoxical embolism: clinical presentation, diagnostic strategies, and therapeutic options". Am Heart J. 112 (1): 141–5. PMID 3728270.
- ↑ Ward R, Jones D, Haponik EF (1995). "Paradoxical embolism. An underrecognized problem". Chest. 108 (2): 549–58. PMID 7634897.