Atrial Septal Defect in Cats
 
ASD, also known as atrial septal defect, is a congenital heart anomaly that enables blood flow between the left and right atria via the interatrial septum (the separating wall). Typically, the blood will shunt into the right atrium, causing a volume overload to the right atrium, right ventricle, and pulmonary vasculature, which can sometimes lead to pulmonary hypertension. However, if right-sided pressures are too high, shunting may occur right to left, causing generalized cyanosis.
 
ASD is more common in cats (9 percent of congenital heart defects ...read more