Minimally invasive endoscopic repair of atrial septal defects via right minithoracotomy

Minimal-Access Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Closure

Progress towards the development and adoption of minimally invasive techniques in cardiac surgery has been slower than that seen in other surgical specialties. Congenital heart disease (CHD) patients represent an important population within cardiac disease, of which atrial septal defect (ASD) is one of the most common diagnoses. Management of ASD encompasses a range of minimal-access and minimally invasive approaches, including transcatheter device closure, mini-sternotomy, thoracotomy, video-assisted, endoscopic, and robotic approaches. In this article, we will discuss the pathophysiology of ASD, along with diagnosis, management, and indications for intervention. We will review the current evidence supporting minimally invasive and minimal-access surgical ASD closure in the adult and paediatric patient, highlighting peri-operative considerations and areas for further research.

Surgical closure of atrial septal defects

Surgical repair of an atrial septal defect (ASD) is a safe and effective operation with little to no morbidity and mortality. In an effort to reduce the trauma of surgery, current approaches focus on less invasive surgical techniques, rather than the intracardiac repair. We will describe the different types of ASD, techniques for repair, and options for minimally invasive repair.