Atrial Septal Defect Repair in Children—Transcatheter Procedure Side Effects and Warnings

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is free of risk. Possible complications may include:

• Bleeding at the point of the catheter insertion
• Damage to arteries
• Allergic reaction to x-ray dye
• Blood clot formation
• Infection, including endocarditis (infection of the inner lining of the heart muscle)
• Reaction to the anesthesia (eg, light-headedness, low blood pressure, wheezing)
• Blood clot formation
• Arrhythmia (abnormal heart beat)

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Pre-existing conditions (eg, bleeding disorder, kidney problems)
• Recent infection

Discuss these risks with the doctor before the surgery.