If you’re suffering from ASD (Atrial Septal Defect), you’ll need treatment urgently and quickly. Learn what a Percutaneous ASD closure is, what the procedure involves, and the steps to your recovery. With our private patient-centred treatment, you’ll prevent your heart from stretching – and ultimately failing. Choose cardiologists that care and get the quality of your life back! Book your private Percutaneous ASD Closure today.
What is a Percutaneous ASD Closure?
A Percutaneous ASD Closure is a common procedure used to treat ASD (or Atrial Septal Defect) – a congenital heart defect. It’s much less invasive than open heart surgery and involves the use of a catheter to access the heart through a small incision in the groin area. A device is then deployed to seal the ASD. The defect is closed by sewing a patch in place (if the defect is large) or by stitches (if the defect is small).
What’s the difference between Transcatheter (Percutaneous) ASD closure and surgical ASD closure?
The main difference is the access point: Percutaneous ASD closure is done via a small incision in the groin to get into your vein (without the need to have a cut on the chest), while surgical ASD closure is done via a cut on the chest and the use of a heart lung bypass machine. Percutaneous ASD closures is less invasive than open-heart surgery and has similar outcomes and success rates. The goal of both procedures is to improve blood flow and reduce the risk of complications such as stroke or heart failure.
Who needs a Percutaneous ASD Closure?
Anyone diagnosed with Atrial Septal Defect. To check if you’ve got ASD, you’ll need the following investigations:
- Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE)
- Cardiac MRI Scan
- Coronary Angiography (CT) – to look for related coronary artery disease and measure heart pressures may be needed
- Exercise Treadmill Test (ETT) may be recommended to test your true exercise tolerance
What’s involved in the procedure?
The procedure is broken down into some simple steps.
- First, you’ll be given general anaesthetic.
- The operation is guided by X-rays from the outside, and by ultrasound pictures from a probe in your throat.
- A pipe is passed from a needle puncture in the leg to the heart and a wire is passed across the hole in the heart.
- A stiff tube is passed over the wire and an umbrella device is placed across the hole. The pipes are taken out and the hole in the leg (where the pipes have been) is pressed on to stop the bleeding.
The strategy used to close the ASD will depend on a number of parameters, such as size, position and any other heart defects.
What are the risks?
The complication rate is low – about 1-2%. The possible risks are:
- Rhythm problems. These usually settle with medication, and disappear in a few weeks.
- Bleeding. From the vein puncture point in the groin
- Device detachment. if the umbrella moves, then it has to be recaptured. If it cannot be recaptured, then surgery may be needed to remove it;
- Stroke. If a small clot forms on the device or any of the pipes and moves to the brain.
- Internal bleeding. There are wires and pipes in the heart and blood vessels used to perform the procedure, and the blood is thinned. With big devices, some patients can develop internal bleeding due to erosion.
The pros and cons of treatment will be further discussed with you in clinic.
The procedure involves closing the hole without needing to cut your chest and overall has about >95% chance of successful closure (depending on the size of the hole).
Take a look at our live cases to watch videos of Dr Malik successfully performing ASD closure!
What happens after the procedure?
You will stay overnight in hospital, and usually be back at home within 1 week. You will then recover at home for about 4 weeks.
Ready to book your Percutaneous ASD Closure?
Give us a call, e-mail or fill out our simple contact form to arrange your consultation with London’s top cardiologist specialists.
Get seen quickly
As we’re a private clinic, your appointments work around you. You’ll soon have your ASD closed so you can start enjoying life again.
Pricing
Insurance
Private Percutaneous ASD Closures are covered by most private medical insurance policies, but please contact your insurance company prior to your appointment to obtain your pre-authorisation code to speed things up.
Self-funding
Our price list is available on request and is on display in our waiting area. For an estimation of costs please get in touch.
Why choose London Cardiovascular Clinic?
- We offer a patient-centred approach, so you’ll feel looked after and have all your questions answered
- Choose from our flexible appointment times and get seen at your convenience
- Personalised treatment plans
- Get consultancy & treatment from London’s top cardiologists – each with their own special interests
- You’ll experience a much more welcoming and relaxing environment at our private clinic than you would elsewhere
- Video resources to help you further understand your condition and the procedures involved
