Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Repair Cost in Thailand

A. A hole in the atrial septum is the cause of an atrial septal defect (ASD), a congenital cardiac condition. The muscular wall dividing the heart's two upper chambers, or atria, is this. Most little ASDs don't require therapy. To reduce the possibility of major problems, larger ones might need surgery or percutaneous (nonsurgical) correction.

A. The size and location of the ASD, the patient's general health, and the existence of additional cardiac disorders all influence the method of choosing. Below is a thorough summary of each strategy:

• Obtain: To reach the heart, a median sternotomy—a procedure that includes cutting through the middle of the chest and separating the sternum—is carried out.
• Cardiopulmonary Bypass: During the procedure, the patient is hooked up to a machine that simulates a heart and lungs in operation.
• Repairing Defects: The ASD is accessed and fixed. This usually entails covering the defect with a patch (made of tissue or synthetic material) to seal it. The repair is secured with sutures.
• Insertion of the Catheter: A catheter is passed through the vascular system and into the heart using a blood artery, usually the femoral vein in the groin.
• Device Deployment: A closure device, typically in the form of a plug or disc, is inserted into the ASD site using a catheter. To occlude the hole, the device is placed across the flaw.
• Closure: The cardiopulmonary bypass equipment is gradually disconnected while the heart is restarted. After that, the chest is sealed and the sternum is connected. The incision is sutured.

A. Surgery to close an atrial septal defect (ASD) is generally safe and effective, however, there are certain risks and problems. Making wise selections and being ready for the treatment might be aided by being aware of these hazards. The following are the main dangers connected to ASD closure surgery:

• Infection: There is a chance that the incision site or the heart itself will get infected. Antibiotics or more care may be needed for this.
• Bleeding: If there is excessive bleeding during or after the procedure, blood transfusions or extra surgery may be necessary.
• Heart Rhythm Disorders: Although they are frequently transient and treatable with medicine, postoperative arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, can happen.
• Cardiac Tamponade: The buildup of fluid surrounding the heart can compress it and impair its ability to operate, necessitating additional treatment.
• Stroke: Because blood clots may move to the brain during or after surgery, there is a slight risk of stroke.
• Allergic Reactions: Anesthesia or medicine used during surgery may cause allergic reactions.
• Respiratory Issues: Although they are uncommon, breathing or lung function issues can arise.
• Thromboembolism: There is a chance of embolism if blood clots form on the device or in other places.

A. Following atrial septal defect (ASD) closure surgery, recovery goes through numerous phases that need to be carefully managed to promote the best possible healing and recuperation. Generally speaking, patients might anticipate the following during their recuperation:

• Patients are usually admitted to the ICU for close observation following surgery. This includes keeping an eye on your heart rate, vital signs, and any indications of problems. You can be hooked up to an IV for medicine, have tubes for drainage, and have continuous cardiac monitoring.
• Pain Control: Although common, pain and discomfort can be controlled using medicine that the medical staff has recommended. As healing advances, pain should subside.
• To avoid infection, the incision site needs to be cared for. Observe your healthcare provider's precise instructions and maintain a dry and clean environment.
• Follow-Up Appointments: To evaluate heart function and make sure the ASD closure is successful, schedule routine follow-up visits with your cardiologist. Echocardiograms and other diagnostic procedures might be part of this.
• Complete Recovery: Within a few months, the majority of patients return to their regular activities. Up to six months may pass before full recovery occurs, during which routine medical examinations are crucial.

A. An atrial septal defect (ASD) may not cause symptoms in a newborn. Symptoms could start in later life. Symptoms of an atrial septal defect can include:

• Breathing difficulties, particularly after working out.
• Fatigue, particularly after exertion.
• Swelling in the tummy, foot, or legs.
• Arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats.
• Palpitations are sensations of a rapid, hammering, or fluttering heartbeat or skipped heartbeats.

A. The following tests can be used to diagnose an atrial septal defect (ASD):

• Echocardiography- The primary examination for atrial septal defect diagnosis is this one. It is possible to create images of the beating heart using sound waves. The chamber and valve structures of the heart are visible on an echocardiography. It also demonstrates the efficiency of blood flow via the heart's valves.
• Chest radiography- An X-ray of the chest can reveal the state of the lungs and heart.
• Cardiogram (also known as ECG or EKG)- This rapid and simple examination captures the heart's electrical activity. It may display the heart rate in both rapid and slow waves. Arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats, can be detected with the use of an ECG.
• Cardiac MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)- This imaging technique creates fine-grained images of the heart using radio waves and magnetic fields. If the results of other tests were inconclusive, it might be performed.
• CT scan (computerized tomography)- This technique builds up detailed images of the heart by taking a series of X-rays. If results from other tests are insufficient for a diagnosis, it might be employed.

A. An atrial septal defect cannot be repaired by medication (ASD). However, they may lessen symptoms.

• Potential medications for atrial septal defect include beta blockers for heart rate regulation. Anticoagulants, often known as blood thinners, reduce the risk of blood clots. Diuretics help lessen the accumulation of fluid in the body's various organs, including the lungs.
• Repair through catheterization- The secundum kind of atrial septal defects are corrected with this sort of procedure. A catheter, which is a thin, flexible tube, is inserted into a blood vessel, usually in the groin. Next, the tube is directed toward the heart. The catheter is passed through a mesh patch or stopper. The hole is sealed with the patch. The patch closes the hole permanently when heart tissue grows around it. However, open cardiac surgery may be necessary for certain big secundum atrial septal abnormalities.
• Open cardiac surgery- To reach the heart during this kind of ASD repair surgery, a cut through the chest wall is made. The incision is sealed by the surgeons using patches. The only treatment available for atrial anomalies of the primum, sinus venosus, and coronary sinus is open-heart repair surgery.

A. The average time of ASD closure surgery is between two and four hours, though this might vary depending on several circumstances.

A. Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Repair cost in Thailand varies from one hospital to the other. Many hospitals cover the cost of pre-surgical investigations of the patient in the treatment package. Typically, the package cost of Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Repair in Thailand includes the expenses related to the surgeon's fee, anesthesia, hospital, meals, nursing, and ICU stay. Many things may increase the cost of Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Repair in Thailand, including prolonged hospital stays and complications after the procedure.

A. Many hospitals in Thailand perform Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Repair. For quick reference, the following are some of the leading hospitals for Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Repair in Thailand:

• Vejthani Hospital
• Phyathai 2 International Hospital
• Yanhee International Hospital
• Bangkok Dusit Medical Services
• Bangpakok 9 International Hospital (BPK 9)

A. The recovery of the patient may vary, depending on several factors. However, on average, a patient is supposed to stay for about 20 days in the country after discharge. This period is important to conduct all the follow-up tests to ensure that the surgery was successful and the patient can go back to the home country.

A. Apart from the Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Repair cost, there are a few other daily charges that the patient may have to pay. These are the charges for daily meals and accommodation outside the hospital. The extra charges may start from USD 50 per person.

A. Many cities offer Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Repair in Thailand, including the following:

• Krabi
• Bangkok

A. After Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Repair, the patient is supposed to stay for about 5 days in the hospital for recovery and monitoring. During the recovery, the patient is carefully monitored and control tests are performed to see that everything is okay. If required, physiotherapy sessions are also planned during recovery in the hospital.

A. There are more than 5 hospitals that offer Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Repair in Thailand. The above-listed hospitals are approved to perform the surgery and have proper infrastructure to handle Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Repair patients. Such hospitals follow all legal protocols and guidelines as specified by the local medical affairs body when it comes to the treatment of international patients.

A. Some of the most sought-after doctors for Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Repair in Thailand are:

• Dr. Krittaporn Pumchand
• Dr. Suppree Thanamai
• Dr. Saeed Abdulkadir
• Dr. Amorn Jongsathapongpan
• Dr. Amphon Ithirithanont