[Early haemodynamic changes after transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) using the Amplatzer Septal Occluder (ASO).

Methods: Between December 2000 and December 2002, 27 adult patients (20 females, 7 males) with a mean age of 41.1 +/- 13.3 (range 18-62) years were enrolled for an attempt at ASD closure with the ASO device. All patients had an isolated secundum ASD with a large left-to-right shunt (ratio of pulmonary to systemic blood flow or Qp:Qs >1.5:1). Transthoracic color Doppler echocardiographic examination was performed on all patients before procedure, 24 hours, 1 and 6 months after surgery. Clinical observation (NYHA class) was performed 1 and 6 months after surgery.

Results: The ASO device was successfully implanted in all patients (procedure time 19-63 minutes, median 43 minutes, fluoroscopy time 4-40 minutes, median 12.6 minutes), with only 3 patients with a trivial residual shunt. The defect echo diameter was 14.2 +/- 4.3 (7-24). At one month of follow-up transthoracic echocardiography showed that the device was correctly positioned in all cases and no predictors for a residual shunt were identified. Residual trivial shunt in one month follow-up was shaded in 3 patients. Paradoxical septal motion abnormalities normalized in all patients. The right ventricular dimension evaluated by 2D echocardiography decreased in 20 pts (74.1%), mean 5.0 +/- 3.4 mm (range 1.5-8), the right atrium dimension decreased in 21 pts (77.8%), mean 8.65 +/- 4.3 mm (range 2-20) and the left atrium dimension decreased in 15 pts (55.6%), mean 6.36 +/- 3 mm (range 2-21). We didn't find correlations between ratio of left-to-right shunt before ASD closure and the decrease of right heart dimension as well as the decrease of pulmonary artery systolic pressure.

Conclusions: Transcatheter closure of secundum ASD using the ASO is a safe and effective procedure, with excellent short-term follow-up results. During one month observation it caused partial normalization of echocardiographic parameters.