The treatment of atrial septal defect depends upon the size and symptoms, and therefore is individualized. An atrial septal defect of less than 3mm. usually closes spontaneously (The Merck Manual, 2006). When the defect is between 3mm and 8mm;, it closes spontaneously in eighty percent of cases by the age of eighteen months,; however, atrial septal defects located in the anteroinferior aspect of the septum (ostium primum) or, in the posterior aspect of the septum near the superior vena cava, or inferior vena cava (sinus venosus), don’t close spontaneously if the defect is very small; - it does not close spontaneously; - and the patient is asymptomatic. The treatment may be, to simply to monitor via an annual echocardiogram. Of course, there is a risk of patients’ becoming symptomatic.
Moderate-sized atrial septal defects, or larger, or patients’. who are symptomatic, require closure of the shunt; this is usually done between the ages of 2two and 6six years. A catheter-delivered closure device, such as Aamplatzer Sseptal Ooccluder or Ccardio-Sseal device. , Mmay be used for closure of atrial septal defects less than 13mm in size,; except thain primum or sinus venosus defects., Iif the defect is greater.