Impact of atrial septal defect closure on diffusing capacity for nitric oxide and carbon monoxide.

http://ow.ly/Rqkc30o5yMM.

Atrial septal defect in adults is associated with airway hyperresponsiveness.

Objective: The association between secundum atrial septal defects (ASD) and asthma-like dyspnea with consequent long-term pulmonary inhalant use, is poorly understood in adult ASD patients. Airway hyperresponsiveness is suggested to be the underlying mechanism of cardiac asthma from mitral valve disease and ischemic cardiomyopathy. We hypothesized that airway hyperresponsiveness may also be found in adult ASD patients.