Persistent Iatrogenic Atrial Septal Defect Research Articles

B-56 | Impact of Persistent Iatrogenic Atrial Septal Defect Following Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair: A Meta-Analysis

B-56 | Impact of Persistent Iatrogenic Atrial Septal Defect Following Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair: A Meta-Analysis

Persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defect after cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation

Aims: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) by cryoballoon ablation (CB) technology is effective and safe treatment option for atrial fibrillation (AF). CB is performed by large diameter, 15Fr (4.95mm) transseptal sheath that may lead to creation of iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD). The objective of this study was to assess the incidence of iASD in patients who had undergone CB. Methods: Patients with AF having undergone Arctic Front® CB ablation and a subsequent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examination during post-ablation follow up period were consecutively enrolled. During all CB procedures, 15Fr transseptal sheath (Flex Cath, Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) was utilized via single transseptal puncture (TsP). Results: Twenty-eight patients (15 females, mean age 55.8+15.5) with paroxysmal (n=24) or persistent (n=4) AF formed study group. iASD was present 11 (39.3%) of them after mean follow-up time of 17.3+6.2 months. The procedural time is significantly longer in patient with iASD (119.0+8.8 minutes, p=0.01). No patients died or suffered from any clinically significant cerebral ischemic event. There was no sign of increase in systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP). Conclusion: iASD after CB was found to be present in 39.3% of patient during a mean follow-up time of 17.3+6.2 months. The prolonged CB procedural time was the only factor that predicted iASD in our study. No adverse clinic events that might be related to iASD was observed during follow-up period.

Abstract 12499: The Incidence and Predictor of Persistent Iatrogenic Atrial Septal Defect in Patients Who Underwent Catheter Ablation

Background: The left atrium approach for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation requires an atrial transseptal puncture that may cause an iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD). Aims: This study aims to investigate the incidence and predictor of iASD in patients who underwent catheter ablation. Methods: This retrospective study included 639 patients (489 male; 60.2 ± 10.7 years) who underwent initial catheter ablation for AF between May 2005 and June 2018. All patients received preoperative transesophageal echocardiography (pre-TEE), preoperative transthoracic echocardiography (pre-TTE), and TTE one day after the procedure (post-TTE). TTE 6 months after the procedure (6M-TTE) was performed in 533 patients. The iASD incidence after 6 months, pre-procedure characteristics, and methods were evaluated. Results: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) was diagnosed in 6.6% (42/639) using pre-TEE and detected in 26.2% (11/42) using pre-TTE. Of the 533 patients who underwent 6M-TTE, 497 had no PFO using pre-TEE. iASD was observed in 59.6% (296/497) using post-TTE and 4.6% (23/497) using 6M-TTE. In the multivariate analysis, the total diameter of sheath through the septum (OR 1.21, p < 0.001) or two sheaths placed through a single puncture (OR 4.26, p = 0.001) was the independent risk factor on iASD incidence in 6M-TTE. iASD was more likely to occur in cryoballoon ablation using a larger sheath than radiofrequency catheter ablation. Conclusions: iASD was not a rare complication. A larger sheath diameter or two sheaths placed through a single puncture might be associated with the incidence of iASD. Careful procedural considerations might be required for patients with hemodynamic deterioration by iASD.

Percutaneous closure of the iatrogenic atrial septal defect following the transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair with MitraClip system led to instant improvement of hypoxemia — case report

Transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER) is an established alternative for patients with severe, symptomatic mitral regurgitation (MR) at high surgical risk. The TEER procedure requires transseptal access, therefore might lead to the development of persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD). The clinical significance of iASD and optimal management particularly from a long-term perspective is not clear. Herein, we described a case report of a 76-year-old female with prior left atrial appendage occlusion and severe MR that underwent a TEER procedure using MitraClip® (MC) system. After the MC implantation, she developed acute hypoxemia due to interatrial right-to-left shunt and required immediate iASD closure.

Impact of Persistent Iatrogenic Atrial Septal Defect following MitraClip.

Prior studies have reported conflicting results of persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD) and its impact following a transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) procedure. This study aims to evaluate the incidence of iASD and its clinical and hemodynamic impact after a TEER. Consecutive patients who underwent a TEER procedure from June 2014 to September 2020 at the Mayo Clinic were identified. The presence of iASD was retrospectively identified on post-procedure transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) to group patients into an iASD+ group and an iASD- group for comparison of prognosis and cardiac function. A total of 316 patients were included; the mean age was 79.1 ± 9.1 years, and 67.7% were male. Persistent iASD was diagnosed in 108 (34.2%) patients. There was no difference concerning all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalization, and stroke/TIA between groups at follow-up (median follow-up of 9 months). Post-procedure TTE demonstrated no differences regarding right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) dimensions and function, including TAPSE (15.2 ± 4.6 vs. 15.4 ± 5.5 mm, p = 0.875), and LV ejection fraction (51.1 ± 14.0% vs. 51.3 ± 13.9%, p = 0.933). However, patients with iASD had higher RV systolic pressure (48.7 ± 14.4 vs. 45.5 ± 14.5 mmHg, p = 0.042) compared with patients without iASD. Notwithstanding higher RV pressures, patients with persistent iASD had no hemodynamic compromise and an equal prognosis compared with those without a residual atrial defect after a TEER procedure. These findings support the mid-term safety of procedures in which an interatrial defect needs to be created and would argue against the need for interventional closure.

Iatrogenic atrial septal defect after HotBalloon ablation of atrial fibrillation.

HotBalloon-based pulmonary vein isolation (HBPVI) has yielded encouraging clinical results in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Balloon ablation requires a larger sheath, which raises the concern for a persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD). The present study aimed to investigate the incidence, clinical features, and the predictive factors of transthoracicechocardiography (TTE)-detectable iASD after HBPVI. All patients who underwent HBPVI of AF with pre- and post-ablation TTE were retrospectively analyzed. A 17-French steerable deflectable guiding sheath was inserted into the left atrium (LA) after a transseptal puncture, and an 8-French sheath was inserted via a single transseptal hole. In a total of 190 patients, 98 (52%) paroxysmal AF (PAF) and 92 (48%) non-PAF, the iASD was detected in 18 (9.4%) with a mean follow-up period of 12.7 ± 2.5months after HBPVI. All patients had no clinical symptoms related to iASD. No embolic or heart failure events occurred.In the multivariate analysis, LA volume index and LA procedure time were identified as significant independent predictors of iASD. After HBPVI, TTE-detectable iASD was found in 9.4% of study patients. Larger LA size and longer LA procedure time were predictive factors for the persistence of iASD. All patients with iASD had no clinical symptoms 12months after HBPVI; however, long-term follow-up may be necessary.

Incidence and clinical relevance of persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defect after percutaneous mitral valve repair

Percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) requires transseptal puncture and results in iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD). The impact of persistent iASD was previously investigated. However, data were diverse and inconclusive. 53 patients who underwent MITRACLIP were retrospectively included. Based on the presence of iASD in transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) after 6 months, patients were divided in two groups (iASD group vs. non-iASD group). Impact of iASD on outcome at 6 months and at two years was evaluated. Persistent iASD was detected in 62% of patients. Independent predictors for persistent iASD were female gender and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. At 6-month follow-up, there was no difference in reduction of NYHA class (ΔNYHA = 1.3 ± 1 in iASD group vs. 0.9 ± 1 in non-iASD group, p = 0.171). There was a significant difference in right ventricular end diastolic diameter (RVEDd) (42 ± 8 mm in iASD-group vs. 39 ± 4 mm in non-iASD group, p = 0.047). However, right ventricular systolic function (TAPSE) (14 ± 7 mm in iASD group vs. 16 ± 8 mm in non-iASD group, p = 0.176) and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) (40 ± 12 mmHg in iASD group vs. 35 ± 10 mmHg in non-iASD group, p = 0.136) were still comparable between both groups. At 2 years follow-up, there was no significant difference regarding rate of rehospitalization (24% vs 15%, p = 0.425) or mortality (12% vs 10%, p = 0.941) between both groups. Incidence of persistent iASD after MITRACLIP is markedly high. Despite the increase in right ventricular diameter in patients with persistent iASD, these patients were not clinically compromised compared to patients without persistent iASD.

Prospective evaluation of iatrogenic atrial septal defect after cryoballoon or radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation-"EVITA" study.

Iatrogenic atrial septal defect (IASD) after catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) due to transseptal puncture (TSP) can occur. The aim of this prospective study was to describe the incidence of IASD and to detect any cerebrovascular accident (CVA) after radiofrequency (RF) and cryoballoon (CB) CA. Between July 2014 and September 2016, 94 patients (pts) (RF; 48, CB; 46, 30 (31.9%) women, mean age = 60 ± 9.7years) with paroxysmal AF were enrolled who underwent CA procedure for the first time. During RF ablation a single (n= 30, 62.5%) or double (n= 18, 37.5%) TSP was performed. Transoesophageal echocardiography before the procedure and at the 3-month and 12-month follow-up (FU) was accomplished. During the FU period, we evaluated the occurrence of any postprocedural CVA. At the 3-month FU, IASD was detected in 17/94 (18.1%) pts; in 9/48 (18.8%) pts in the RF while in 8/46 (17.4%) pts in the CB group (p= 0.866), all of them with left-to-right shunt. In the RF group, 6/30 (20%) pts with a single TSP while 3/18 (16.7%) pts in the double TSP group had IASD (p= 0.780). 14/17 (82.4%) IASDs showed high spontaneous closure rate at the 12-month FU. None of the pts died or suffered from CVA. Persistent IASD can occur rather frequently following AF CA. No significant difference was observed between the RF and CB techniques concerning the presence of IASD at 3-month. IASDs showed a high spontaneous closure rate. No cerebral thromboembolic event was observed in the 12-month FU period.

A Very Long-term Longitudinal Study on the Evolution and Clinical Outcomes of Persistent Iatrogenic Atrial Septal Defect After Cryoballoon Ablation

BackgroundPersistent iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD) is a common but poorly characterized complication after cryoballoon (CB) pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedures. We therefore investigate its prevalence, evolution, risk factors, and clinical outcomes in a prospective longitudinal study. MethodsA total of 108 patients (41 women, mean age 57 ± 11.3) underwent CB PVI for AF. Serial transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed 9 months and then annually until 6 years after the procedure to study the characteristics of persistent iASD. ResultsPersistent iASD occurred in 33 (30.6%) patients 9 months after CB PVI. Spontaneous closure of iASD was found in 6 (22.2%) and 3 (15.8%) patients 2 and 3 years after the procedures, respectively. No spontaneous closure was observed on 4, 5, and 6-year TEE follow-up. The projected long-term persistence rate of iASD after CB PVI was therefore 20% (30.6% × 0.778 × 0.842). Using multivariate logistic regression, a higher number of cryoapplications (≥ 2 minutes) was the only independent predictor of persistent iASD 9 months after CB PVI (odds ratio [OR] 1.207; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.033-1.411, P = 0.018). Two (1.9%) patients with significantly larger iASD size than the others (long diameter 12.6 ± 0.8 vs 3.7 ± 1.5 mm, P < 0.001; short diameter 10.9 ± 0.2 vs 3 ± 1.1 mm, P < 0.001) required percutaneous closure because of exertional dyspnea and right ventricular enlargement. Over 129.7 patient-years follow-up, during which iASD persisted, there was no occurrence of neurologic events. ConclusionsApproximately one fifth of patients undergoing CB PVI will have permanently persistent iASD. Patients with defect sizes of greater than 10 mm may need percutaneous closure due to significant left-to-right shunting.

Static balloon atrial septostomy for the purpose of left heart intervention in postoperative adult CHD.

We retrospectively reviewed six procedures in five adults with CHD and collected demographic characteristics, details of the procedures, clinical outcome, and size changes of the iatrogenic atrial septal defect. The mean age at the time of the procedure was 35 years. The intended primary interventions were pulmonary vein isolation, stenting for pulmonary vein obstruction, and catheter ablation for focal atrial tachycardia. All static balloon atrial septostomies were effective, and the left heart interventions were successfully achieved via transseptal sheaths. There were no major complications associated with the static balloon atrial septostomy. There were no adverse clinical outcomes related to iatrogenic atrial septal defect, and the size of the defects regressed over time in all cases. Static balloon atrial septostomy can be a safe and useful technique in adult CHD patients needing left heart procedures. The thick interatrial septum found in postoperative patients may reduce the risk of persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defect.

High rate of persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defect after single transseptal puncture for cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation.

Congenital atrial septal defect (ASD) is associated with increased morbidity, whereas little is known about the rate of spontaneous closure, associated clinical and echocardiographic parameters, or complications of iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD) beyond 1year of follow-up. Persistent iASD after transseptal puncture for PVI has been described in up to 38% of small cohorts of patients in short-term follow-up after transseptal puncture. We sought to investigate the course of iASD after single transseptal puncture for first pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with cryoballoon, along with possible risk factors for persistent iASD. After a first PVI with cryoballoon, 102 patients (64 ± 10years, 64% male) underwent long-term clinical follow-up and comprehensive transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiographic study. Prevalence of iASD after PVI was 37% after 2.9 (1.6-4.9) years. No clinical complications or deterioration of echocardiographic parameters were associated with iASD. Lower left atrial appendage flow velocity was associated with higher risk of persistence of iASD (3.5% for every 1cm/s decrease, p = 0.002). Despite a high rate of iASD after cryoballoon PVI in long-term follow-up, this was not associated with increased clinical complications. Lower LAA velocity was associated with higher risk of persistent iASD. Repeated routine echocardiographic follow-up may not be necessary in these patients.

Persistence of an iatrogenic atrial septal defect after a second-generation cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defects (iASDs) can be observed after intervention requiring a left atria (LA) access, including pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) of atrial fibrillation (AF). We investigated the incidence of iASDs post-second-generation cryoballoon ablation and the pre-procedural predictors. Eighty-three paroxysmal AF patients underwent PVI using second-generation cryoballoons. The LA was accessed with single 15-Fr steerable sheaths following a radiofrequency transseptal puncture, and the iASD was evaluated with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), a median of 9.3 (7.1-13.3) months post-procedure. All patients underwent pre-procedural contrast-enhanced multi-detector computed tomography (CT) to evaluate the LA and PV anatomy. iASDs were detected by TTE in 7 (8.4%) patients, a median of 15.5 (6.8-17.3) months post-procedure. Patients with iASDs had significantly larger LA volumes and smaller atrial septal angles, defined as the angle between the atrial septum and sagittal line on the horizontal section at the height of the fossa ovalis, which could be the transseptal puncture site measured on CT, and more likely hypertension than those without. Multivariate analyses revealed that the atrial septal angle was the sole predictor of iASDs [odds ratio 0.764, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.624-0.935, p = 0.009], and the optimal cut-off value was 57.5° (sensitivity 85.7%, specificity 88.2%, 95% CI 0.873-0.995, p < 0.0001). Patients with iASDs were asymptomatic and had no adverse clinical events during a 17.7 (14.4-25.8) month median follow-up. iASDs were still detectable in 8.4% of patients a median of 15.5months after the second-generation CB ablation, and the atrial septal angle might aid in predicting persistent iASDs.

Persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defects after pulmonary vein isolation: long-term follow-up with contrast transesophageal echocardiography.

Pulmonary vein isolation using cryoballoon ablation is an established approach to treating atrial fibrillation. The procedure involves insertion of a 15-Fr sheath into the left atrium across the interatrial septum. This creates an iatrogenic atrial septal defect, which may have important long-term clinical relevance, especially in younger patients. We sought to determine the long-term incidence of these defects and determine the direction of shunt using contrast transesophageal echocardiography. Individuals who had undergone a single pulmonary vein isolation procedure were invited to attend for transesophageal echocardiography (TOE). Patients who had undergone more than one procedure involving puncture of the interatrial septum were excluded. The interatrial septum was interrogated using two-dimensional imaging, color flow Doppler, and microbubble contrast study. A total of 27 patients were recruited with a median follow-up time of 553days from pulmonary vein isolation to TOE. Seven patients had persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defects with three demonstrating right to left shunt either at rest or with Valsalva. There were no reported adverse events during the study period. Persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defects are relatively common following cryoballoon ablation procedures. Right to left shunting can be observed using microbubble contrast in a subset of patients with iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD). Further studies that longitudinally assess shunt fraction, pulmonary artery pressure, and the incidence of paradoxical embolism are needed to better understand the clinical impacts of such defects.

176-16: Persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defect after pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation; a prospective single center study

176-16: Persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defect after pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation; a prospective single center study

Invited Commentary

Invited Commentary

RIGHT HEART FAILURE FROM PERSISTENT IATROGENIC ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECT FOLLOWING ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ABLATION

Persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD) has been reported in patients with a transseptal puncture performed for access to the left atrium. Majority of these resolve spontaneously and their clinical significance remains unknown. Here, we report a rare case of a symptomatic, persistent iASD

Entanglement of a Circular Mapping Catheter in the Mitral Valve with Persistent Iatrogenic Atrial Septal Defect after Attempted Pulmonary Vein Isolation: A Word of Caution

A 34-year-old man presented with pulmonary vein isolation due to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. During the standard procedure, the circular mapping catheter became dislocated and was caught in the mitral valve apparatus. Following multiple failed attempts to remove the catheter in the catheterization laboratory, the patient needed an emergency operation using the heart-lung machine.

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Iatrogenic Atrial Septal Defect After Catheter-Based Mitral Valve Clip Insertion

The geometries and sizes of persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defects (IASDs) after transseptal puncture during catheter-based mitral valve clip insertion (MVCI) have not been detailed. In this study, 11 IASDs were investigated in 10 patients who underwent MVCI using a guide catheter (24Fr proximally and 22Fr at the atrial septum). The diameters of the long and short axes and the area at maximum and minimum during a cardiac cycle were measured after MVCI using real-time 3-dimensional (RT3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). A circular shape was assumed on 2-dimensional TEE, resulting in an area calculation of π × (dimension/2)(2). The anatomic geometries of IASDs were visualized in a 3-dimensional en face view of the atrial septum. Furthermore, 1 month after MVCI, IASDs were evaluated using echocardiography. The IASDs had a variety of irregular geometries. The mean long-axis diameter was 1.0 ± 0.24 cm, the mean short-axis diameter was 0.51 ± 0.22 cm, and the mean area was 0.40 ± 0.24 cm(2) on RT3D TEE. The diameters and area changed significantly between the maximal and minimal values during the cardiac cycle. Importantly, 2-dimensional TEE underestimated the maximal diameters of IASDs (0.54 ± 0.17 vs 1.0 ± 0.24 cm by RT3D TEE, p <0.01) and the maximal areas of IASDs (0.25 ± 0.15 vs 0.40 ± 0.23 cm(2) by RT3D TEE, p <0.05). One month after MVCI, the smallest and the second smallest IASDs had closed, and the other 9 remained open. In conclusion, RT3D TEE is useful to assess the irregular geometries of IASDs created during MVCI.

THE EVALUATION OF IATROGENIC ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECT AFTER CATHETER-BASED MITRAL VALVE CLIP REPAIR; TWO- AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY STUDY

Geometry and size of persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defect (IASD) after transseptal puncture during catheter-based mitral valve clip repair (MVCR) has not been detailed. We investigated 11 lASDs in 10 patients who underwent MVCR using the guide catheter with 22-F at the atrial septum. The

How do we discover the unknown unknowns? Screening 'Well' patients after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

This editorial refers to ‘Persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defect after pulmonary vein isolation by cryoballoon: an under-recognized complication’ by N-Y. Chan et al. , on page 1406. [T]here are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns – the ones we don't know we don't know. -Former US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld Atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a therapeutic challenge for millions of patients and their treating physicians. Advances in pharmacotherapy, including the development of novel antiarrhythmics1 and anticoagulants,2 have provided clinicians newer—but not necessarily better—treatment options for AF patients. There has been a concurrent evolution in catheter ablation for AF; novel ablation techniques have come, and in some cases gone,3 over the last several years. Whether these novel techniques will translate into improved safety and efficacy of AF ablation remains to be seen. While ablation modalities used in catheter-based therapy for AF are evolving, the physical introduction of those catheters into the left atrium (LA) remains a nearly universal constant. This is true for standard radiofrequency ablation approaches [i.e. wide, circumferential lesion sets to isolate the pulmonary veins (PV)], for more targeted LA ablation (of complex fractionated atrial electrograms, sympathetic ganglia, or putative rotors, for example), and for newer methods of achieving PV isolation (cryoablation, cyroballoon ablation, laser, microwave, robotically assisted catheter ablation, and so on). Each of these approaches relies on the delivery of one (and frequently more than one) catheter into the LA. …