Answered by SecondMedic Expert
Cardiologist · Cardiology / Heart disease
Verified
An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a congenital heart defect in which there is an abnormal opening in the septum (wall) that divides the left and right atria (upper chambers) of the heart. This results in blood flowing abnormally between the two atria, causing oxygen-rich blood to mix with oxygen-poor blood. This can lead to a decrease in the amount of blood that reaches the body's organs and tissues (ischemia), as well as an increased risk of infection.
