The incident of IE in congenital patient is higher than general population. Therefore, it is important for congenital patient to maintain good oral, dental and skin hygiene as primary prevention. Cosmetic tattooing and piercing are discouraged due to the risk of IE. Antibiotic prophylaxis is considered for patient at highest risk for IE before surgery and dental procedures. Please discuss with your congenital team for the latest update on the antibiotic prophylaxis.
This procedure for device closure for Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is performed in the cardiac catheterisation lab. You will be given an anaesthetic which may be general (GA) or local (LA) depending on the technique used. In most cases, this procedure is performed under general anaesthetic (GA) which is given by a qualified anaesthetist. Once anaesthetised, an imaging probe (TEE) will be passed into your gullet (oesophagus) for accurate sizing of the ASD and to assist during deployment of the device. You will lie on an X-ray table and an X-ray camera will move over your chest during the procedure. A plastic catheter (a long tube) will be inserted via a vein in the groin and navigated until it reaches the heart.
Sometimes (depending on individual case), the catheter is positioned at different chambers of your heart to measure the pressure and oxygen content prior to device closure. In certain circumstances, balloon sizing of the ASD may be required. Once your doctor is satisfied with all the measurements, the appropriate size device is connected onto a cable, put into a special delivery tube, advanced through your ASD and carefully deployed. Your doctor will study the device’s position and stability before releasing the device. The catheter and imaging probe are removed and the procedure is completed.
Activity restrictions are unnecessary unless there are associated problems that you and your cardiologist have discussed. However, after ASD device closure, patients will be advised to refrain from strenuous activity and heavy lifting for at least six months.
