Is it possible to go in for ASD closure via groin but end up having Open Heart surgery?

[NJD1234]

Hi hearties,

I have been scheduled for ASD closure at Royal Brompton in March. My ASD is stated as 'large' and from what I understand from reading around is on the cusp of what is possible to close with groin surgery - I am trying to ascertain if it is possible that they decide to do Open Heart on the day if they unable to successfully close the ASD via groin?

I am fine with either option, obviously would prefer groin but anything to get the other side of this breathlessness is a bonus. I guess Im asking if anybody has had the experience of going in for groin but ending up with open heart? Or if they would reschedule if it turned out on the day that open heart was necessary?

Thanks for taking the time to read this and thanks in advance for any replies.

[SinbadCFC]

Hi NJD1234

The answer is yes. This happened to me in 2022. I went in for ASD closure via the groin, unfortunately the closure device dislodged and ened up in my right pulmonary artery. Ended up having emergency OHS the next day. Didn't have time to worry lol.

Apparently what happened to me is extremely rare and they further expalined that they sometimes do revert to OHS if they think the closure device will not hold but they would normally reschedule for a later date. In my case it did hold to start with but by the time i was to be discharged they found that it had moved.

I was in St Thomas and the care I received was excellent.

[NJD1234 in reply to SinbadCFC]

Thankyou so much for taking the time to reply, much appreciated 🙏

[SinbadCFC in reply to NJD1234]

No problem. Good luck

[lindainglis]

they tried closing mine through the groin but it was to large had to go back at a later date for ohs ,but that was 10 years ago never looked back

[Dylanboy in reply to lindainglis]

The same for me

[NJD1234 in reply to Dylanboy]

Thanks for taking the time to reply x

[NJD1234 in reply to lindainglis]

Thanks for sharing, im excited for whatever happens, anything to be the other side of this breathlessness.

[SazzleMcD]

hello, I had the groin surgery to fix mine but when I woke they said it was unsuccessful and i was scheduled for open heart surgery. I waited 2 more years before I could get my place as it’s a very different operation, hang in there and I hope it all goes well.

[NJD1234 in reply to SazzleMcD]

2 more years? Wow. Pleased that it is finally sorted for you, Im keeping all crossed for a successful groin closure. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[Worrywart2024]

I was told that if they couldn't manage my op in the simpler way they would perform open heart surgery then and there so I wouldn’t know till i woke up. This was in Barts.

[NJD1234]

Thats intesting, can i ask when you had your proceedure? Perhaps policy has changed in the meantime as others had to wait years for open heart after unsuccessful groin attempt. Thanks for your reply x

[PeriwinkleTwinkle]

Same here, I went in for a catheter repair for an ASD which was aborted part way through after better imaging during showed my 1 large hole was actually 4 smaller holes. They still attempted but one hole would not hold a closure device so I'll be going in for a patch repair via open heart surgery next month.My catheter attempt was in October 2024 and my surgery is scheduled for March 2025

After my unsuccessful attempt they had to re-review my case with the surgical board to discuss next steps before presenting it to me. My consult was January 2025 to discuss surgery and if I agreed to go ahead. I was asked if I had any particular dates I wanted to avoid or any period I would prefer to have it done.

Good luck🤞

[NJD1234 in reply to PeriwinkleTwinkle]

Thankyou for your reply, it is much appreciated. Hope all went will with the patch repair. Take care