Septal Defect Closure Research Articles

Long-term prognosis of elderly patients undergoing atrial septum defect closure: are we acting too late?

Abstract Introduction Atrial septum defects (ASD) are the third most common congenital heart defect affecting adults and often goes unrecognized due to the absence of significant symptoms and unspecific signs at physical examination. Yet, long-term exposure to chronic right heart volume overload can have deleterious effects, with almost all patients becoming symptomatic by the fifth or sixth decade. However, whether ASD closure in an elderly patient affects their average life expectancy (ALE) is still unknown. Aim To assess the relationship between ASD closure (surgical or percutaneous) and ALE in a Portuguese cohort of patients older than 65 years old. Methods Single-centre retrospective study including all consecutive patients older than 65 years old that underwent isolated ASD closure (surgical or percutaneous) between January 1998 and December 2020. Baseline characteristics were assessed as well as the predicted ALE (as determined per pre-defined national ALE tables) for every given patient at the time of the ASD closure. Results A total of 37 patients with a mean age at closure of 69±5 years, 76% female, were included. Most patients presented with heart failure (62%), 14% with ischemic stroke, and 51% had an atrial arrythmia. 22% patients had severe tricuspid regurgitation, the mean systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) was 50±11mmHg and a median Qp/Qs of 2.1 [1.2-2.5]. Five patients were treated surgically. The mean size of the ASD was 21±7mm and those treated surgically had a higher mean size (24±7mm vs 21±9mm). During the mean FUP of 9.3±5.2 years, 16 patients died (37%). The mean age of death was 79.4±5.8 years and did not differ significantly from the expected mean ALE of 84.3±1.3 years (p=0.304). Patients who did not reach the predicted ALE at the time of the procedure (N=12, 33%) had higher SPAP (58±10 vs 46±8mmHg; p=0.001) and presented more frequently with severe tricuspid regurgitation (42 vs 12%, p=0.040) (figure 1A). There was no difference in terms of mortality regarding method of closure (p=0.096). Conclusion Overall survival of elderly patients that underwent late ASD closure did not differ significantly from the expected ALE, nevertheless one-third of the patients died prematurely. A premature death was associated with higher SPAP and a more severe tricuspid regurgitation. These results suggest that late-ASD closure does not overcome the effects of long-term right chamber overload and pulmonary hypertension, thus arguing in favour of earlier intervention.

Vena cava inferior thrombosis diagnosed 12 years after interventional atrial septum defect closure in an infant

Vena cava inferior thrombosis diagnosed 12 years after interventional atrial septum defect closure in an infant

Mid-term follow-up by speckle tracking and cardiac MRI of children post-transcatheter closure of large atrial septal defects.

This is a case-control study of our experience of mid-term follow-up of 40 children who had a transcatheter closure of very large atrial septal defects group (1). All cases had an atrial septal defect device size more than 1.5 times their weight, a ratio considered a contraindication for trans catheter closure (TCC) in some previous reports. The aim of this study is to report the outcomes and mid-term follow-up of transcatheter closure of large atrial septal defects using two-dimensional conventional echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging, and four-dimensional speckle tracking imaging, and as such to compare results of same echocardiographic examination of age-matched control group of 40 healthy children group (2). Cardiac MRI was performed on cases group (1) only to detect right ventricle and left ventricle volumes and function and early signs of complications. There was no difference between cases and matched healthy controls in terms of the assessment of left ventricle and right ventricle by two-dimensional echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging, and four-dimensional speckle tracking imaging. Similarly, there was no statistically significant difference between four-dimensional echocardiography and cardiac MRI in their respective assessment of both left ventricle and right ventricle volumes and function. We also detected no complications by echo or by cardiac MRI after a median follow-up period of 2 years and recorded a complete remodelling of right ventricle volumes in all children studied. This points to the safety and efficiency of transcatheter closure of large atrial septal defects in children on mid-term follow-up.

Safety and Efficacy of Percutaneous Transcatheter Closure of Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defects With Nit Occlud® Lê VSD coil: A Single Center Experience

Safety and Efficacy of Percutaneous Transcatheter Closure of Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defects With Nit Occlud® Lê VSD coil: A Single Center Experience

Late Aortic Insufficiency After Ventricular Device Closure: A Case Report

Device closure of isolated ventricular septal defect is taking precedence over surgical closure in current era. However, device closure in perimembranous and subarterial VSD is complicated by procedural acute aortic regurgitation. In this report we found late aortic regurgitation after four years of device closure of ventricular septal defect. This incident needs one to reconsider the choice of device in patients with perimembranous or subarterial ventricular septal defect as the rim of the occluder device is near the aortic cusp. Early intervention after the development of significant aortic regurgitation is beneficial for the patient.

First Dedicated Minimally Invasive Right Atrial Retractor.

The importance of correcting tricuspid valve insufficiency in patients with left-sided valve disease is clear. In the United States, up to 30% of mitral valve operations are minimally invasive, while the data for isolated tricuspid valve is not known. A minimally invasive approach to the tricuspid valve provides faster recovery with lower transfusion rates and lower length of stay. There are no dedicated right atrial (RA) retractors for minimally invasive tricuspid valve (TV) operations. TV exposure is different from mitral given the proximity of the tricuspid anterior annulus to the cut edge of the atrium. An RA retractor should be shallow while preventing slippage of the RA roof and should be quick to deploy and remove. We created a dedicated minimally invasive RA retractor to expose the TV and RA structures (fossa ovalis and coronary sinus). The retractor is a fenestrated shallow and wide retractor with bilateral articulating "wings" to expose left and right of the atrium. This retractor is compatible with the left atrial system by USB Medical Limited (Hatboro, Pennsylvania) and has tilting capability. A three-dimensional (3D)-printed prototype was modified after evaluation by two experienced minimally invasive surgeons (MCS and RKV). Once modifications were finalized, the retractor was then deployed in surgery. The RA retractor was used in isolated TV repairs, RA myxoma resection, RA clot removal, removal of RA migrated stents, select mitral valve operations, and closure of atrial septal defects. The retractor proved effective, safe, and fast to deploy and remove and allowed for full visualization of the tricuspid valve, interatrial septum, ostia of both vena cavas, and coronary sinus. The retractor was useful in mitral valve operations with existing aortic valve prosthesis and in the small left atria. The minimally invasive RA retractor affords excellent, stable exposure of the right atrial structures with fast deployment and removal.

Device Closure of a Postoperative Residual Atrial Septal Defect after Seven Years

Postoperative residual atrial septal defect (ASD) is well explained and is usually small and of no hemodynamic significance, but large residual atrial septal defects are to be closed. Here we report a case of postoperative residual ASD which was reported as a small residual ASD in the immediate postoperative period, later presented to us with hemodynamically significant large residual symptomatic ASD. The residual ASD was successfully closed with a Floret ASD occluder device.

Immediate and Short-Term Variations in the Echocardiographic Cardiac Hemodynamic Parameters after the Transcatheter Atrial Septal Defect Device Closure and its Procedural Success.

Background and Aims:Transcatheter closure of the secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) has become an accepted alternative to surgical repair. We aimed to analyze and compare the changes in cardiac hemodynamics with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) before, within 48 hours, and after 3 months of ASD closure.
 Methods: This was a prospective, single-centered study of 43 patients who underwent ASD device closure in the Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Center during June 2020 to June 2021 with Amplatzer Septal Occluder under transesophageal and fluoroscopic guidance. The patients were evaluated with TTE before, at 48 hours, and 3 months after the procedure.
 Results: At 48 hours and 3 months of device closure, the right atrial major dimension, the maximum blood flow velocity at the pulmonary valve orifice, mean flow velocity, velocity time integral, and E peak and A peak blood flow velocity at the tricuspid valve orifice were significantly reduced (P < 0.001). At 3 months, the dimensions and ejection fraction of the left ventricle showed significant increment (P < 0.001). Likewise, the right atrial minor dimension and area, right ventricular basal, mid, and longitudinal dimensions, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, right ventricular Tei Index, and fractional area change were significantly reduced (P < 0.001). The main pulmonary artery diameter, pulmonary artery systolic and mean pressure, and the pulmonary vascular resistance and index were significantly reduced (p <0.001). The procedural success rate was 97.6%.
 Conclusion: Echocardiographic evaluation demonstrated that cardiac hemodynamics and loading conditions improved significantly at 3 months after percutaneous closure of ASD. The transcatheter closure of ASD was safe with good short-term outcomes.

Same day discharge after structural heart disease interventions in the era of the coronavirus-19 pandemic and beyond.

With recent advancements in imaging modalities and techniques and increased recognition of the long-term impact of several structural heart disease interventions, the number of procedures has significantly increased. With the increase in procedures, also comes an increase in cost. In view of this, efficient and cost-effective methods to facilitate and manage structural heart disease interventions are a necessity. Same-day discharge (SDD) after invasive cardiac procedures improves resource utilization and patient satisfaction. SDD in appropriately selected patients has become the standard of care for some invasive cardiac procedures such as percutaneous coronary interventions. This is not the case for the majority of structural heart procedures. With the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, safely reducing the duration of time spent within the hospital to prevent unnecessary exposure to pathogens has become a priority. In light of this, it is prudent to assess the feasibility of SDD in several structural heart procedures. In this review we highlight the feasibility of SDD in a carefully selected population, by reviewing and summarizing studies on SDD among patients undergoing left atrial appendage occlusion, patent foramen ovale/atrial septal defect closure, Mitra-clip, and trans-catheter aortic valve replacement procedures.

Patent foramen ovale as a cause of cryptogenic ischemic stroke

A patent foramen ovale from an anatomical and physiological point of view is a normal communication between the atria, which is present in utero and allows oxygenated placental blood to reach the fetal arterial circulation. With incomplete postpartum fusion of the primary and secondary septa, a patent foramen ovale is formed. In the last two decades, clinical interest in the problem of the patent foramen ovale is dictated by the fact that its role in the development of such clinical syndromes as ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, migraine and decompression sickness of divers has been established, as well as the introduction of endovascular techniques for endovascular transcatheter closure of the atrial septal defect. It was found that the frequency of patent foramen ovale detection in patients with cryptogenic stroke is on average 2 times higher than in patients with an established cause of ischemic stroke and ranges from 40% to 50%.Aim of study. Raising awareness of neurologists about the causes, pathogenetic mechanisms of development, methods of diagnosis and treatment of ischemic stroke in patients with patent foramen ovale.Material and methods. To achieve this goal, the results of scientific research devoted to patent foramen ovale as a risk factor for cryptogenic stroke were analyzed. The literature search was carried out in electronic search engines Scopus, eLibrary, PubMed using the keywords: «ischemic stroke», «cryptogenic stroke», «patent foramen ovale», «pathogenesis of ischemic stroke». Scientific articles published between 1878 and 2021 were selected for analysis. 31% of the analyzed works are not older than 5 years.Conclusion. The patent foramen ovale is etiologically associated with cryptogenic stroke. Possible mechanisms of ischemic stroke in patent foramen ovale patients include in situ thrombosis, paradoxical embolism, and atrial arrhythmias. Transcatheter endovascular closure of patent foramen ovale with anatomical signs of a high risk of cerebrovascular events in combination with antiplatelet therapy are indicated for patients with cryptogenic stroke aged 18 to 60 years as an optimal means of secondary prevention of ischemic stroke.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of sedation protocols with the use of dexmedetomidine\u2013remifentanil and propofol\u2013remifentanil during percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects: a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundThe study was aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of different sedation protocols of dexmedetomidine–remifentanil and propofol–remifentanil for percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) under transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) guidance.Material and methodsFrom March 2020 to January 2021, of 114 patients screened, 59 ASD patients scheduled for percutaneous closure under TTE guidance were randomly allocated into the dexmedetomidine–remifentanil (D–R) group (n = 29) and the propofol–remifentanil (P–R) group (n = 30). The incidence of hemodynamic and respiratory adverse events, arterial blood gas analysis, induction and recovery time, pain score, infusion rate of remifentanil, satisfaction of the surgeon and patient, additional sedatives were collected for analysis and comparison.ResultsThe induction time was longer in the D–R group than that in the P–R group (17.66 ± 2.65 min vs 11.43 ± 1.48 min; difference, 6.22 min; 95% CI 5.10 to 7.35; P < 0.001). No differences were observed in the 2 groups in terms of the additional sedatives, infusion rate of remifentanil, pain score, recovery time (P > 0.05). There was no difference between the two groups regarding the incidence of cardiovascular adverse events (6 [20.7%] vs 4 [13.3%]; difference, 7.4%; 95% CI − 11.7 to 26.5%; P = 0.506). Respiratory adverse events occurred in 1 patient (3.4%) in the D–R group, and 8 patients (26.7%) in the P–R group (difference, 23.3%; 95% CI 6.2 to 40.5%; P = 0.026). The incidence of hypercapnia was significantly lower in the D–R group (4 [13.8%]) than in the P–R group (13 [43.3%]; difference, 29.5%; 95% CI 7.8 to 51.2%; P = 0.012).ConclusionsExcept for more rapid the induction time and higher the surgeon satisfaction score in the propofol–remifentanil protocol, the efficacy was similar between two sedation protocols. The hemodynamic stability was comparable, the dexmedetomidine–remifentanil protocol had superior airway security due to fewer hypercapnia and respiratory adverse events.

Spontaneous closure of an isolated congenital perimembranous ventricular septal defect in two dogs

BackgroundThough spontaneous closure of isolated congenital ventricular septal defects in humans is very common, it has been rarely reported in dogs.Case presentationA 4 month old Havanese dog and a 4.5 month old Chihuahua x Jack Russell terrier cross were presented for murmur evaluation to the authors’ institution. Both puppies were clinically healthy and had a loud systolic murmur on the right hemithorax. Echocardiography in both dogs revealed a small, isolated, restrictive perimembranous congenital ventricular septal defect. No echocardiographic signs of left ventricular volume overload or pulmonary hypertension were present. Re-check auscultation in both dogs revealed the absence of a murmur, and echocardiography showed no flow through the interventricular septum. In the 9 kg Havanese dog and the 4 kg mixed breed dog, spontaneous closure occurred at 13–17 months and 12–30 months, respectively.ConclusionsIn both dogs the spontaneous closure of a congenital perimembranous ventricular septal defect took place in a young adult age. The mechanism of closure remains unclear.

Phase contrast cardiac magnetic resonance imaging versus transoesophageal echocardiography for the evaluation of feasibility for transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects

BackgroundThis prospective study was aimed at comparing phase contrast cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (PC-CMR) with 2D transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for determining potential candidature for transcatheter closure in ostium secundum ASD (OS-ASD) patients. We included consecutive adult patients with OS-ASD for the evaluation of feasibility for transcatheter closure using 2D-TEE and PC-CMR over a period of 2 years. Patients who fulfilled the conventional criteria for transcatheter closure, i.e. maximum ASD diameter ≤ 34 mm, adequate rims (≥ 5 mm, except for anterosuperior rim), and normal pulmonary venous drainage on both imaging modalities, were taken for device closure. In patients where there was discrepancy in the measurements of ASD diameter or rim size, making them eligible for device closure on one imaging modality and ineligible on the other hand, provisional device closure was attempted. All patients who underwent transcatheter closure were followed up to 6 months to rule out any complications.ResultsA total of 58 patients (mean age 35.93 ± 10.59 years) were enrolled in the study. Overall, there was significant positive correlation between 2D-TEE and CMR measurements of maximal ASD diameter and rim size (p < 0.001). However, TEE significantly underestimated maximal ASD diameter and posteroinferior rim size in comparison with CMR (p = 0.013 and p = 0.023, respectively). 46 (79.3%) patients were suitable for transcatheter closure on CMR, while 44 (75.9%) were eligible on TEE. Transcatheter closure was attempted in 48 patients based on imaging findings and was successful in 46 (95.8%) patients. Device closure was unsuccessful in 2 patients with defect size < 34 mm on TEE but > 34 mm on CMR. Among 7 patients with deficient posteroinferior rim on TEE, 5 had sufficient rim on CMR and underwent successful transcatheter closure. CMR detected anomalous pulmonary venous drainage in one patient which was missed on TEE, hence excluding the patient from transcatheter closure. Mean device size was 28.3 ± 7.4 mm and correlated more strongly with the defect dimensions on PC-CMR (r = 0.85, p < 0.001) compared to TEE (r = 0.71, p = 0.02).ConclusionsPC-CMR may to be superior to 2D-TEE for the preprocedural planning and feasibility assessment for transcatheter closure in adult patients with ostium secundum ASD.

Long-Term Outcomes of Surgical Repair for Ventricular Septal Defect in Adults.

Data of the outcomes of ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure in adults are limited to establish recommendations. Therefore, we reviewed our experience with surgical VSD closure in adult patients. We retrospectively reviewed 152 patients who underwent surgical VSD closure between January 1996 and April 2020. The median age of the patients was 30.5 [interquartile range (IQR) 23.1-42.7] years. The median follow-up duration was 10.9 (IQR 4.8-16.1) years. VSDs were classified according to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons classification as type 2 (n = 66, 43.4%), type 1 (n = 59, 38.8%), and type 4 (n = 27, 17.8%). Aortic cusp prolapse (n = 86, 56.6%) and aortic valve regurgitation (AR, n = 75, 49.3%) were the most common indications for surgical closure. Four patients underwent late reoperation (2.6%) due to AR, infective endocarditis and residual VSD. In the log-rank test, preoperative trivial or more degree of AR (P = 0.004) and coronary cusp deformity (P = 0.031) was associated with late moderate or greater degree of AR. Preoperative moderate or greater AR was associated with reoperation (P = 0.047). Only concomitant aortic valve (AV) repair at the time of VSD closure was a significant risk factor for late significant AR progression in the multivariable analysis. VSD closure in adults can be performed with low mortality and morbidity rates. AR can progress after VSD closure because the aortic cusp may have irreversible damage from long-standing shunt flow exposure. We conclude that VSD with AV deformity or AR in adults should be treated aggressively before disease progression with irreversible damage occurs.

Device Closure of a Sinus Venosus Atrial Septal Defect.

Device Closure of a Sinus Venosus Atrial Septal Defect.

Role of three-dimensional imaging techniques in the management of transcatheter closure of complex atrial septal defects

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia. Instituto de investigación biomédica Maimonides Introduction Percutaneous closure is nowadays considered the treatment of choice of ostium secundum atrial septal defects (ASD) but complex defects may be a challenging. In the last years, the imaging techniques used for ASD assessment have improved considerably, allowing therapeutic approaches in patients with complex morphological features particularly in those with absence of rims. However, there are no studies about the impact of 3D imaging techniques on transcatheter closure of ASD as compared with 2D imaging along time . Purpose To compare the impact of real time 3D Transesophageal echocardiography (3D-RT TEE) and cardiac computed tomography (CCT) on the profile as well as on the success rate of transcatheter closure of complex ASD as compared to 2D imaging. Methods We selected 106 adults patients suffering from ASD of complex anatomy (large≥30 mm, multiple, multifenestrated, aneurysmal, or deficiency of posterior or inferior rims) from 1998 to 2020. Along this time, we compared closure success rate, morphological characteristics, and procedure complications after ASD transcatheter closure. We defined closure success rate as a complete closure without complications. In our study, ASD assessment and further intervention was performed by two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2D-TEE) from 1998 to 2007 (n = 66), whereas 3D-RT TEE and CCT was performed from 2008 to 2020 (n= 40). Results The type of ASD complexity was different between the two diagnostic approaches. Thus, those patients management by 2D-TEE showed more number in large ASD (40,9%), multiple-ASD (34,8%), fenestrated (10,6%), aneurysmal (7,6%) and with lower ring deficiency (6,1%) as compared to those with 3D-RT TEE and CCT (10%, 25%, 15%, 15%, and 35%, respectively, p &amp;lt; 0,05). Although no significant differences were observed, patients from the 2D group needed a second surgical closure more frequently than those treated with 3D-RT TEE and CCT (12,1% vs 5%, p = 0.31). In our study, there were few complications (10 (9,4%), with no significant differences according to the imaging technic used (2D-TEE group: 3 device embolisms, 2 cardiac tamponade, 2 complications of the femoral access; 3D-RT TEE and CCT group: 2 device embolisms and 1 complication of the femoral access. All of them were resolved intraprocedure. Importantly, closure success was higher in those patients manage by 3D-RT TEE and CCT in comparison to 2D-TEE (88% vs. 67%, respectively, p &amp;lt;0.05). Conclusion Transcatheter closure of complex ASD is a secure procedure. However, the use of 3D TEE and cardiac CT improves the success rate of this approach as compared to 2D-TEE and changes the profile of complex ASD treated by transcatheter closure in favor of those with absence of some rims

Safety of Occlutech Septal Occluder ACCELL Flex II for Transcatheter Closure of Secundum Atrial Septal Defects in Children: A Long-Term Follow-Up

Objectives To assess the long-term safety and efficacy of the Occlutech® ACCELL® Flex II device used for atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. This device differs from the regular device by having two very thin patches that are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These patches enhance faster sealing of the defect. Background Transcatheter closure has become the method of choice to manage most patients with secundum ASDs. There are different types of devices. The regular Occlutech device used to close an ASD is called the Occlutech Figulla Flex II. A newer modification of this device (Occlutech® ACCELL® Flex II) has been designed to eliminate/reduce thrombus formation and to enhance faster sealing. Methods Thirty patients were followed up after occlusion of secundum ASD using the Occlutech® ACCELL® Flex II Device. The follow-up period ranged from 5.2–5.5 years with median of 5.3 years. Detailed history and full clinical examination, twelve-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), plain chest radiograph, and full 2D transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) were performed at discharge, at one month, six months, and yearly thereafter. Results The mean age of the study group at the last follow-up was 10.4 ± 4.6 years, with 63.3% (nineteen patients) females. There were no residual shunts or complications encountered immediately after the procedure and at the latest follow-up. Conclusion This study confirmed the transcatheter closure (TCC) of secundum ASDs using the Occlutech® ACCELL® Flex II device to be safe and effective with no complications detected in children and adolescents.

Role of MDCT in evaluating prothesis size prior to percutaneoustranscatheter closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defect.

To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of cardiac multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) prosthesis sizing prior to ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) percutaneous closure. Seventy consecutive patients were included in this retrospective bicentric study between May 2012 and June 2018. All underwent cardiac MDCT (primarily performed to rule out abnormal venous pulmonary return and coronary anomaly) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) before transcatheter closure: dimensions of the defect and peripheral rims were measured. Measurements of the defect obtained at TEE and MDCT were compared to prosthesis size. Our primary objective was the comparison of ASD maximal diameter obtained at MDCT (CT-Dmax) to prosthesis size. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Bland Altman plots and linear regression were calculated. Intra- and inter-observer agreements were calculated for MDCT defect measurements. Forty-three patients were finally included for defect measurements: 17 patients did not undergo transcatheter closure, and 10 had incomplete data. For CT-Dmax, ICC was 0.88 (CI 95% = [0.78-0.93]; p = 0.06); mean difference was - 0.8±5.7mm; regression linear equation was 0.9 × +3.2 (p < 0.001). For maximal diameter at TEE versus prosthesis size, ICC was 0.46 (CI 95% = [0.21-0.61]; p = 0.003); mean difference was-6.0±8.2mm; regression linear equation was 0.91 × +7.6 (p < 0.001). Intra- and inter-observer agreement for CT-Dmax were 0.97 (CI 95% = [0.95-0.98]) and 0.86 (CI 95% = [0.73-0.93]) respectively. MDCT is a reliable tool for sizing the defect of ostium secundum ASD, making it a complement or even an alternative to pre-procedural TEE.

Outcomes of Three Different Minimal Invasive Approaches for Secundum Atrial Septal Defect Closure: A Single Institute Experience

The aims of this retrospective study were to investigate and evaluate the safety and efficacy of three approaches for closure of secundum atrial septal defect (ASD). In this study, we reviewed clinical data for transcatheter occlusion (TCO, n=63), transthoracic occlusion (TTO, n=55), and right anterolateral minithoracotomy (RALT, n=60) techniques used for ASD closure. We compared the safety and efficacy of the three approaches. ASD size in the TTO group was similar to that in the RALT group (P=0.645) and significantly larger than that in the TCO group (P<0.001). The RALT group had more non-central types of ASD than the TTO and TCO groups (P=0.019 and P<0.001). The operative time in the TTO group was shorter than that in the TCO and RALT groups (P<0.001 and P<0.001). The ventilation time and intensive care unit duration were shorter in the TTO group than in the RALT group (P<0.001 and P<0.001). Hospital duration in the TCO group was shorter than that in the TTO and RALT groups (P<0.001 and P<0.001). There were no residual shunt and mortality in any group in hospital or during follow-up. There was no significant difference in the incidence of total complications among the three groups (P=0.738). TCO, TTO, and RALT can be performed with favorable cosmetic and clinical results for closing ASD. Appropriate patient selection is an important factor for successful closure. These techniques are promising alternatives to standard median sternotomy and merit additional study.

Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defects with 40 mm Septal Occluder in Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre, Nepal

Background and Aims: Transcatheter closure of Atrial septal defect (ASD) is one of important modality of treatment these days for ASD secundum. However, there is a paucity of data on transcatheter closure of ASDs with ³40 septal occluder. We aim to study the outcome of ASD device closure with ³40 mm Septal Occluder in Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre, Nepal.&#x0D; Methods: It was a prospective single center study conducted at Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre, Nepal.Among the 27 patient who underwent successful device closure with ³40 mm devices from January 2016 till December 2019, twenty-six patients could be prospectively followed up during May 2020 till December 2020. A Performa was designed to collect information about age, gender, ASD size, ASD device type and size. Right atrium(RA) and right ventricle(RV) dimension, level of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient before the procedure and at the time of follow up were also recorded.&#x0D; Results: Amplatzer septal occluder (40mm) was used in 25 (96.1%) patients and Memopart device (42mm) was used in 1 (3.9%) patient. Before the procedure all patients had dilated RA and RV, Mild TR, moderate TR and severe TR was present in 14 (53.8%), 10 (38.4%) and 2 (7.7%) patients respectively. At follow up, only one (3.9%) patient had dilated RA and RV. Mean Tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient decreased from mean 44.4 mmHg to 18.9 mmHg.&#x0D; Conclusion: Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defects with ³40 mm Septal Occluder is safe and effective in short term follow up.