Atrial septal defect

Abnormal opening in the atrial spetum that enables oxygenated blood to flow from the higher pressure left atrium to the lower pressure right atrium, which causese the blood to become deoxygenated. Clinical manifestations: smaller defects less then 5mm often asysmptomatic or do not have s/s until later in life. manifestation consistent with HF include frequent respiratory infections and difficulty breathing. a characteristic harsh systolic murmur mayybe heard over the third intercostal space.