Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Atrial septal defect Eisenmenger's syndrome
Introduction
Overview
Overview
The outcome among ASD patients with Eisenmenger’s syndrome is generally poor irrespective of surgical or medical treatment.
Eisenmenger’s Syndrome
Eisenmenger’s Syndrome
If Eisenmenger’s syndrome has developed, there is a significant risk of mortality regardless of the method of closure of the atrial septal defect. In individuals who have developed Eisenmenger’s syndrome, the pressure in the right atrium is sufficiently elevated to reverse the shunt, and cause right to left shunting. If the atrial septal defect is then closed, the afterload that the right ventricle has to contract against suddenly increases and this may lead to acute right ventricular failure. Complications that occur as a result of Eisenmenger’s syndrome include thrombosis and bleeding. Patients with Eisenmenger’s syndrome should not become pregnant as there is an extremely high risk of maternal mortality.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [2]