Atrial septal defect in the elderly

Atrial septal defect (ASD) can be diagnosed in the old-age patients. Patients have unspecific symptoms such as exertional shortness of breath, reduced functional capacity, palpitations and pulmonary infections. Diagnostic work-up of ASD consists of the ECG, echocardiography, cardiac tomography or cardiac magnetic resonance. In the cases of concomitant pulmonary artery hypertension right heart catheterization is needed. Patients with ASD are candidates for surgical/catheter interventional treatment at any age.