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Diagnosed With ASD, Trouble Breathing. Catheterization Or One Heart Surgery?
Hi Doctor, My wife has been recently diagnosed with ASD . The size as per the ECHO is 21MM. She is 38, very athletic, 49KG weight. She was having trouble breathing after being on the treadmill for 15 minutes and when investigated we found out about ASD. The doctors have provided 2 options i.e. catheterization (walls are above 4MM and hence the doctors feel she can be a good candidate for cath), or open heart surgert to repair the ASD. Our dilemma is which one is better or in this case which one is good for her? given the fact that catheterisation is a relatively new procedure with no long term data availability. Your recommendation will be highly appreciated, Regards, Nazim
Tue, 28 May 2013
Dear Mr. Nazim
Thanks for writing to us.
I hope by "cath" you mean device closure of ASD. Device closure of ASD is not new although relatively new technique of ASD closure and is there for more than 15 years now. Majority of patients are doing well on device. It does not require an open heart surgery although it has its own procedural and post-procedural complications. Cosmetically it will not leave a scar. On the other hand, open heart surgery is time tested, safe, with nearly no long term sequale but will leave a scar and of course is a more invasive procedure.
Whatever modality you choose, do not delay it much, else long term benefits benefits of procedure will be less.
Sincerely
Thanks for writing to us.
I hope by "cath" you mean device closure of ASD. Device closure of ASD is not new although relatively new technique of ASD closure and is there for more than 15 years now. Majority of patients are doing well on device. It does not require an open heart surgery although it has its own procedural and post-procedural complications. Cosmetically it will not leave a scar. On the other hand, open heart surgery is time tested, safe, with nearly no long term sequale but will leave a scar and of course is a more invasive procedure.
Whatever modality you choose, do not delay it much, else long term benefits benefits of procedure will be less.
Sincerely
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