[Percutaneous catheter closure of atrial septal defect. Short-term and mid-term results]

Percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) is becoming more frequent.

From October 1997 to October 2002, 209 patients, age 0.4-70 (mean 19.5) years, were catheterized to close an ASD or patent foramen ovale (PFO). Transesophageal echocardiography was performed simultaneously in all patients. Two hundred and six patients had ASD (25 multiple ASDs) and 3 had PFO. Three devices were used, the Amplatzer Atrial Septal Occluder (ASO), CardioSeal (CS), and Starflex (SF).

Device implantation was achieved in 181 patients (87%) but had to be abandoned in 28 patients, generally because the ASD was too large. One hundred and seventy-four ASOs were implanted in 172 patients with ASD (2 ASOs were implanted in 2 patients with double ASD) and CS/SF in 9 patients (3 patients with PFO and 6 with ASD). The procedure was effective in 166/172 (96%) ASO implantations and in 8/9 (89%) CS/SF implantations. The procedure was unsuccessful in 7 patients and the device had to be removed (6 ASO and 1 SF). The occlusion rate with ASO was 88% after 24 hours, 91% after 1 month, 95% after 1 year, 97% after 2 years, and 100% after 4 and 5 years. All defects treated with SF/CS were closed successfully after 24 hours. In one case the ASO device was embolized to the aorta. In the first month after ASO implantation, supraventricular tachycardia appeared in 2 patients and transient left ventricular failure in 2 patients. No late complications were observed.

Percutaneous catheter closure of selected types of ASD using the Amplatzer Atrial Septal Occluder, CardioSeal, or Starflex should be offered to patients as non-surgical alternative. The type of device used depends on the defect size and morphology as well as the surgeon's experience. The presence of multiple defects does not exclude the possibility of a successful percutaneous catheter closure.