Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital
Last Update:2026-03-09
A rare 4 cm atrial septal defect in an infant was successfully repaired by cardiac surgeons at Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital. After recovery, the baby celebrated his first birthday with the medical team — a moment the parents called “the best birthday gift.”
Infant Survives Rare 4 cm Atrial Septal Defect After Open-Heart Surgery
A one-year-old infant in Taichung, Taiwan has recovered after undergoing surgery for an extremely rare 4 cm atrial septal defect (ASD), a congenital heart condition that left almost no wall separating the heart’s upper chambers. The life-threatening defect was further complicated by abnormal pulmonary venous drainage and pulmonary hypertension, requiring immediate open-heart surgery at Tungs’ Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital. After nearly a month of intensive care, the baby stabilized and was transferred out of the ICU. Coincidentally, the following day marked the child’s first birthday. Doctors, nurses, and family members gathered in the hospital ward to celebrate the milestone, while the parents expressed their gratitude, calling it “the best birthday gift.” Physicians say a congenital heart defect of this size is exceptionally rare in infants.
A Rare and Life-Threatening Congenital Heart Condition
An infant boy in Taichung was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening 4 cm atrial septal defect (ASD) — a condition where a large opening forms between the heart’s upper chambers. The defect was so large that almost no atrial septum remained. The infant also had abnormal pulmonary venous drainage and pulmonary hypertension, making the situation critical.
After evaluation by the pediatric cardiology team at Tungs’ Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, doctors determined that immediate open-heart surgery was necessary.
Open-Heart Surgery Performed by a Multidisciplinary Cardiac Team
Dr. Chung-Chih Kao, a pediatric cardiologist, explained that atrial septal defect (ASD) is one of the most common congenital heart diseases. Small defects, typically less than 0.5 cm, may close naturally as a child grows.
However, large defects can lead to severe complications, including:
- Enlargement of the heart
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Heart rhythm disorders
- Heart failure
In this infant’s case, the defect measured 4 cm, far exceeding the size typically seen in pediatric cardiology.
Dr. Bi-Tao Huang, Director of the Cardiovascular Medical Center, stated that defects of this size are extremely rare in clinical practice.
A Precious First Birthday After Recovery
Following surgery, the infant remained in the intensive care unit for nearly one month. During recovery, the baby experienced several challenges including pulmonary hypertension, fluid accumulation in the lungs, and heart rhythm instability. With careful monitoring and dedicated care from the ICU team, the infant gradually stabilized and was transferred out of intensive care on September 2. The next day, September 3, happened to be the baby’s first birthday. Medical staff and family members gathered in the hospital ward to celebrate with a cake and birthday wishes.
The baby’s parents expressed their gratitude and said emotionally:
“This is the best birthday gift.”
Advances in Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
Cardiac surgeon Dr. Po-Chih Cheng explained that advances in medical technology now allow some atrial septal defects to be treated using catheter-based closure devices or robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery. However, large defects greater than 3 cm usually require traditional open-heart surgery.
In this case, the infant had multiple cardiac abnormalities, and the successful outcome was made possible through close collaboration among pediatric cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and intensive care specialists.
Dr. Cheng also noted that adolescents and adults weighing more than 30 kg with atrial septal defects or ventricular septal defects may be candidates for robot-assisted cardiac surgery, which requires only four small incisions of approximately 1 cm each, allowing faster recovery and reduced postoperative pain.
Understanding Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a congenital heart condition where there is a hole in the wall separating the two upper chambers of the heart. This opening allows oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium to flow into the right atrium, increasing blood flow to the lungs. Over time, untreated ASD can cause complications such as pulmonary hypertension, heart enlargement, and arrhythmias.
ASD accounts for about 10% of all congenital heart diseases.
Symptoms of ASD in Infants and Children
Infants with large atrial septal defects may experience:
- Rapid breathing
- Difficulty feeding
- Poor weight gain
- Fast heart rate
- Recurrent respiratory infections
If untreated, severe cases may lead to pulmonary hypertension and heart failure.
International Medical Care in Taiwan
Taiwan has become a destination for advanced cardiovascular care and congenital heart surgery. Hospitals in Taiwan are equipped with modern medical technology and experienced multidisciplinary teams.
Tungs’ Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital provides comprehensive cardiac services, including:
- Pediatric cardiology
- Congenital heart disease treatment
- Cardiac catheterization procedures
- Open-heart surgery
- Robot-assisted minimally invasive cardiac surgery
The hospital also offers international medical services to assist overseas patients with appointment scheduling, medical consultations, and travel arrangements.
Hope for Children with Congenital Heart Disease
After successfully overcoming a life-threatening condition, the infant was able to celebrate his first birthday surrounded by his family and medical team.
While regular follow-up will continue as he grows, the successful surgery has given him the opportunity to begin a healthy new chapter of life.
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