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Types of atrial septal defect

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

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

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