Question

The condition known as atrial septal defect is characterized by the presence of a hole in the interatrial septum. Hoe would this condition affect the normal pattern of blood flow? what effect would this have on the oxygenation of the blood?

Answer 1

Q. The condition known as atrial septal defect is characterized by the presence of a hole in the interatrial septum.

How would this condition affect the normal pattern of blood flow?

what effect would this have on the oxygenation of the blood?

Answer:.

Interatrial septum is the wall of tissue which separates the right and left atria of the heart. Right atria receives deoxygenated blood from variuos parts of the body, whereas left atria receives oxygenated blood then it passes to left ventricle from where it passes throug haorta to different tissues. In general that deoxygenated blood enters into Right Ventricles from right atria, for oxygenation but instead of this there is a hole in that area. This is called as Atrial septal defect (ASD). As there is a hole in that area, instead of passing the deoxygenated blood from Right atria to Right Ventricle, it diverts its deoxygenated blood to Left atria. Thus this deoxygenated blood enters into the left ventricle and from aorta it enters in to the body again. Thus this hole is by passing the re-oxygenation process. Thus this condition will lead to decrease in oxygenation saturation in the blood, all it depends upon the width of the hole also. some times this may be fatal also.

In general normal flow of blood is: Normal heart

Deoxygenated blood----> Right Atria -----> Right ventricle--------> Lungs for oxygenation------> Oxygenated blood----> Left Atria--------> Left ventricle---------> Distributed

Atrial septal defect (ASD) Heart:

Deoxygenated blood----> Right Atria -------------------------> Diverted.-------------------------------> De-Oxygenated blood----> Left Atria--------> Left ventricle --------> Distributed