An unusual presentation of atrial septal defect in a patient undergoing total hip arthroplasty.

Atrial septal defect is usually diagnosed and surgically repaired in childhood. We present a case of previously asymptomatic atrial septal defect that presented during total hip arthroplasty during general anesthesia in a 72-yr-old woman. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography assisted in the diagnosis and in determining the appropriate treatment.