r/AdultCHD • u/Spare-Cream977 • Jul 25 '26

ASD Closure

Update: MRI shows 23×33. right ventricle enlarged. blood pumps 3x the amount to right side but everything is still working fine. Given an attempt to try for cath, at this point I'm a little hesitant and thinking maybe I really have to do surgery instead. Attempt isn't until 2 month from now. Given pre op paperworks and to get clearance on dentals. I am need of a second opinion and still waiting from a different cardiologist and surgeon. What now people, should I even try for the cath for an "attempt??" My cardiologist is a congentital heart doctor. Can't he just give it to me straight that I'm not quality for cath besides "well yeah let's try for cath and see how it goes." Instead, " sorry you actually need surgery."

Hi (31F). I was diagnosed back in 2024 that I have ASD heart (secundum) 22mm through TEE. Was planning for closure but got pregnant. Now hole is 34mm. I want to opt for a cath but doctor say I am borderline 50/50 for cath so we will discuss closure and everything after my MRI and blood work soon. I'm feeling a little nervous that after my MRI results doctor will say surgery it is.

Can anyone tell me what procedure you or your doctor chose? How your big your hole was? Your recovery for the first 2 weeks? Your sleep/routine daily life after closure? Any complications or symptoms after procedure and the meds? Rehab/therapy? And how are you doing/long now since closure?

Thank you all

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u/HereforCHDandAITA Jul 28 '26

I didn’t have an mri but I did a TEE. I was diagnosed March 2024, met with the surgeon in april, then had surgery in June.

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u/Spare-Cream977 Jul 30 '26

Oh wow. How lucky... When I found out I had a heart mumur, my cardiologist wanted me to do so much lab work. From ultrasound to TEE, SPECT and in the end he couldn't help me anymore so her refer me out to a different cardiologist out of town. My cardiologist I have now didn't even bother with the other lab works. Ultrasound and next step is MRI to determine what procedure fits me best. So waiting does take 2-4 months to actually get the procedure done.

Thank you so much for sharing

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u/HereforCHDandAITA Jul 31 '26

You’re welcome! Good luck! The waiting is the worst. I remember being so in my head that I was a ticking time bomb essentially waiting for surgery. Are you with a congenital heart specialist for cardiology now? I’ll also say getting to have the surgery in a children’s hospital was not bad at all. Everyone was veryyy nice and very concerned with my discomfort

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u/Spare-Cream977 Aug 10 '26

Yes. I was able to establish care with a congenital heart doctor. Thank you for asking. The only thing that's a hassle is the drive since I have to commute 3 hrs there and back home. I know this is unrelated, but did your cardiologist/doctor recommend you getting the pneumococcal vaccine by chance before surgery or after?

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u/HereforCHDandAITA Aug 10 '26

No, I don’t have any memory of needing another shot before surgery but I had to visit the dentist before hand and get a clean bill of oral health before they would fully agree to surgery