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What's an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)? (Video)

Medically reviewed by: KidsHealth Medical Experts

What's an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)?

An atrial septal defect (ASD) — sometimes called a hole in the heart — is a heart defect some babies are born with. There's an abnormal opening in the dividing wall between the upper filling chambers of the heart (the atria).