Atrial septal defect (
ASD) is a
congenital heart defect in which blood flows between the
atria (upper chambers) of the
heart. Normally, the atria are separated by a dividing wall, the
interatrial septum. If this septum is defective or absent, then
oxygen-rich blood can flow directly from the left side of the heart to mix with the oxygen-poor blood in the right side of the heart, or vice versa. This can lead to lower-than-normal oxygen levels in the arterial blood that supplies the brain, organs, and tissues. However, an ASD may not produce noticeable signs or symptoms, especially if the defect is small.