types of atrial septal defect
Last reviewed 12/2022
Types of atrial septal defect include:
- patent foramen ovale:
- this is present in all neonates and is a potential atrial communication in about 20% of adults
- usually inconsequential since blood is unable to flow from left to right
- secundum atrial septal defect:
- this is the most common form
- it is situated in the middle of the atrial septum
- sinus venosus defect:
- this condition is often associated with anomalous drainage of the right upper and middle lobe pulmonary veins into the superior vena cava or high right atrium
- primum atrial septal defect:
- in this condition the inferior margin of the atrial septum is missing
- this part of the atrial septum anchors the atrioventricular valves
- the mitral valve abnormality may give rise to mitral incompetence
- partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage:
- in this condition right or left pulmonary veins can drain to the right atrium
- this may occur with or without an associated atrial septal defect