Percutaneous closure of secundum atrial septal defects: Experience of a tertiary referral center

Abstract

Objectives: This study was aimed to evaluate our clinical experiences and investigate results of percutaneous clo-sure of secundum atrial septal defects (ASD) in our clinic. Results: We retrospectively included 70 patients (19 male, 51 female) undergoing percutaneous ASD closure proce-dure with mean age of 36p14.8 (17-75) in our clinic between March 2008 and January 2010. Defect diameter meas-ured by transesophageal echocardiography was 19.7p6.3 mm (6-32 mm). Device size used for percutaneous closure of ASD was 23.7p6.2 (12-36). Devices used for percutaneous closure were nitinol-based devices including Amplatzer (64.7%), Cardiofix (26.7%) and biodegredable BioStar (8.6%). The percutaneous closure procedure was successful at 68 of 70 (97%) patients. In 2 patients procedure failed. Failure reason was device embolization in one patient and device strut fracture in other; so these 2 patients referred to surgery. During follow up 2 more patients also referred to surgery because of device embolization in first day control. In 3 patients (4.2%) supraventricular arrythmias that are converted to sinus by cardioversion are observed. Mean follow up interval was 18.6p9.6 months (1-44) and during this period peripheral vascular complications, cerebrovascular accidents, thrombus on devices, device erosion or death is not observed. Conclusion: Percutaneous closure of secundum ASD which started to replace surgical treatment of ASD in last dec-ades is safe and effective method in short to mid-term period. However because of potentially serious complication risks it should be performed in special centers by operators who are experienced in treating structural heart diseases.