Condition

Congenital Heart Defects

Heart problems present from birth — many are treatable without open surgery.

Illustration of a heart with an atrial septal defect — Many holes and narrowings can now be fixed without ever opening the chest.

What it is

Congenital heart defects are structural heart problems that someone is born with. Many simple defects — ASD, PDA, some VSDs — can now be closed in the cathlab without open-chest surgery. Adult congenital heart disease is a growing specialty.

Symptoms

Indian infant being held with a stethoscope nearby — Recurrent chest infections or poor weight gain can be early clues in babies.

Breathlessness on exertion
Recurrent chest infections in childhood
Bluish lips and nails
Palpitations
Fatigue
Sometimes found incidentally on echo

Risk factors

Family history
Maternal illness during pregnancy
Certain genetic syndromes

How it's diagnosed

Paediatric echocardiogram in a hospital exam room — A simple echo confirms most congenital defects within minutes.

Echocardiogram
TEE
Cardiac MRI or CT
Cardiac catheterisation

Treatment options

ASD/PDA closure device with its delivery catheter — Small umbrella-like devices close many heart holes through a tiny groin puncture.

Device closure (ASD, PDA, selected VSDs)
Balloon valvuloplasty for narrowed valves
Surgery for complex defects
Long-term cardiac follow-up

Related procedures

Device Closure (ASD/VSD/PDA)

Closing holes in the heart through a small puncture — no open surgery.

Echocardiography (2D/3D)

A safe ultrasound test that shows your heart pumping in real time.

FAQ

Questions patients ask us most

Can adults have undetected heart holes?+

Yes. Many ASDs are diagnosed for the first time in adults during a routine echo or when symptoms develop.

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