Atrial septal defect post surgical follow up


 * Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org]; Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [mailto:kfeeney@perfuse.org]

Overview
Due to the development of new minimally invasive techniques, percutaneous closure and improvement in  surgical closure, most patients with atrial septal defect can start eating and ambulating within the first or second postoperative days. Also, most patients with surgical closure are discharged by the third or fourth postoperative days and patients with  percutaneous closure, are generally discharged the next day. Surgical follow-up care is mostly for 1-2 months. Ideally, at least 1 follow-up echocardiogram to confirm complete closure of the atrial septal defect should be obtained. A cardiologist with good experience with heart defects should continue patient care. An yearly follow up to monitor development of complications like arrhythmias should be arranged. Six months of aspirin with or without clopidogrel is recommended for prevention of thrombus formation.

==ACC/AHA recommendations for postintervention follow-up in atrial septal defect (DONOT EDIT)==

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Postintervention Follow-Up
1. Evaluation for postpericardiotomy syndrome with tamponade

2. Annual clinical follow-up in defined patient subgroups

3. Evaluation for possible device migration, erosion, or other complications }}

For ACC/AHA Level of evidence and classes click:ACC AHA Guidelines Classification Scheme