Septal Defect Closure

Septal Defect Closure

Septal Defect Closure 

A septal defect is a hole in the wall of your heart. It is congenital, which means you are born with this condition. You may be diagnosed with this as a child or adult.

In the past, many people with holes in their hearts had to have open-heart surgery. Now, Emory Heart & Vascular offers a minimally invasive procedure using a catheter. Recovery time is significantly shorter than with traditional open surgery. 

Treatment options include:

  • Medications: Medications can’t fix a septal defect. But they can improve your symptoms. Septal defect medications include beta-blockers, blood thinners and diuretics that reduce excess fluid in your body.
  • Minimally invasive catheter procedures: Our doctors guide a thin, flexible tube (a catheter) to your heart through a blood vessel in the groin or arm. They insert a small device and a mesh patch through the catheter to fix the hole. We remove the catheter after we activate the device.
  • Open surgery: This procedure involves making a cut (incision) through your chest wall. Like catheter procedures, our surgeons use a patch to close the hole. Surgery is the only option to fix some septal defects.

Our Heart & Vascular experts will work with you to determine the best treatment for you.

Congenital Heart Disease at Emory Heart & Vascular

According to the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA), about one million adults live with congenital heart diseases in the U.S. Some people don’t find out that they have a congenital heart disease until they are adults.

Emory Heart & Vascular is one of only a few programs in the U.S. It is the only program in Georgia. We treat adults with moderate and complex congenital heart diseases.

At Emory Heart & Vascular, our team offers collaborative, family-centered care for all congenital heart diseases in adults and children. Your heart is in good hands with Emory Healthcare.

Learn more about congenital heart disease and treatments at Emory Heart & Vascular.

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