Question:
The cardiologist found arterial septic symptom in my heart. That's a birth defect at

birth were's there's a small hole in my heart. My pcp told me yesterday. I called the cariodoligist and they haven't gotten back to me yet. It hasn't stopped me from having previous surguries(c-section and laproscopic for gallbladder). I've been in touch with my surgeon and I'm waiting to hear from him?    — Kathleen W. (posted on May 12, 2009)

May 13, 2009
Ddi they find the defect before? If not then that maybe why you had the other surgeries. Anyway the cardiologist will be able to fix it and then you will be ready to proceed. My brother had this but it never caused him any problems.
   — trible

May 13, 2009
I'm unfamiliar with arterial septic symptom but an atrial septal defect is a small hole between the upper chambers of the heart. As long as it is not too large to cause too much mixing of the blood that is already received oxygen from the lungs with that going to the lungs to get oxygen it usually doesn't have any significant problems. One potential problem with surgery is that infections can spread from one side of the circulatory tree to the other more easily but this can be dealt with by good infection control and usually doesn't have to be repaired pre-op. I would discuss this with your surgeon and make sure your anesthesiologist is aware of it as well. Hope this helps. Kevin
   — hapkidodoc

May 13, 2009
Hi I had the same thing happen to me after I had a second spinal fusion in August, 08. I had already had 9 other surgeries including gastric bypass (Mar.7,07) and did not know I had anything wrong. After they found it in August, I had a hetia hernia repair done in Dec. 08 and did just fine. I just had to let the doctor and person putting me to sleep know that I had it and they told me they didn't see a problem. I did have to see a heart specialist who did a echocardiogram to see if the hole had gotten any larger and he said it hadn't and that as long as I didn't have any symptoms of a stroke or chest pains I probably would never have to have anything done. In the event I had some symptoms he said it could be repaired and I would once again be ok. He did tell me they usually find out someone has this after they have a stroke or something but most times people do not know they have it. I have done fine and to date have lost 222 since my gastric bypass surgery a little over 2 years ago. My health has improved tremendously and I hope you have the same results I have had. Good luck!
   — TrevaDeck150