Heart Disease Community

Hi:

"I'm concerned that the patch could be leaking and causing this problem"

......"or could that be a potential cause of the enlargement?"

An atrial septal defect (ASD) or an eventual failed repair of ASD may/can cause enlargement of the right atria and right ventricle (regional enlargement), and even right-sided heart failure.

In some cases, the entire heart (global enlargement there of, cardiomegaly) may/can become affected, especially if there are other factors or conditions present.

Mayo Clinic

Enlarged Heart

Causes

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/enlarged-heart/ds01129/dsection=causes


Health Central

Cardiac Enlargement: A Patient Guide

There are two types of cardiac enlargement: Hypertrophy and dilation......

With the exception of exercise-induced enlargement, all forms of cardiac enlargement are abnormal and associated with further...

http://www.healthcentral.com/heart-disease/patient-guide-44614-6.html

"I looked at the x-ray but could not make heads or tails of it"

Worth mentioning here, there is a medical term known as the cardiothoracic ratio (CTR), which is a measurement on a chest X-ray (CXR) of the width of the heart divided by the width of the chest.

Typically, a CTR greater than 50% is suggestive of an enlarged or dilated heart. Noteworthy though, in some cases, a heart may/can be greater than 50% of the cardiothoracic ratio and still be considered a normal heart.

One of the most versatile diagnostic imaging modalities to determine heart size is a non-invasive echocardiogram (cardiac ultrasound), with non-invasive Cardiac MR (a "heart-specific" magnetic resonance technology) reported as being more accurate.

Best of luck down the road of life. Live long and prosper.

Take care,

CardioStar*

WebMD member (since 8/99)



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Be well-informed

WebMD

Heart Disease TYPES

Men and Women

Acquired in life or congenital (born with it)

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-disease-men


Heart Disease SYMPTOMS

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/heart-disease-symptoms

Mayo Clinic

Heart Disease

Definition. Symptoms. Causes. Risk factors. Complications. Tests and diagnosis. Prevention......

Heart disease is a broad term used to describe a range of diseases that affect your heart and sometimes your blood vessels......

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease/DS01120


LEARN ABOUT the Heart


WebMD

The Heart: (Human Anatomy) Pictures, Definition, Location in the Body and Heart Problems

http://www.webmd.com/heart/picture-of-the-heart

WebMD Health/The Cleveland Clinic

How the Healthy Heart Works

Arteries, Chambers, Valves

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/healthy-heart-works

How the Heart Pumps

Animated Tutorial

http://your-doctor.com/healthinfocenter/medical-conditions/cardiovascular/heartpump-tutorial.html


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Quote!

Be a questioning patient. TALK to your DOCTOR and ASK QUESTIONS. Studies show that patients who ask the most questions, and are most assertive, get the best results. Be vigilant and speak up!"

- Charles Inlander, People's Medical Society

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It's your future......be there.

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WebMD/WebMD forums DOES NOT provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatments.

I always think it's a good idea for people who have undergone cardiac surgery as children for congenital heart disease to continue seeing a cardiologist throughout their childhood and adulthood for regular exams, echocardiograms, and early evaluation in case of symptoms.

While it's not clear necessarily from your chest xray whether you are having a problem, I think it's a good opportunity to see a cardiologist, who might order an echocardiogram just to make sure that everything looks okay.