[Percutaneous closure of inter-atrial communication with the Amplatzer device. Experience with 42 cases]

We report our experience on 42 patients treated with atrial septal defect (ASD) occlusion using Amplatzer device. Thirty patients were females and 12 were males, mean ages 26.5-years-old +/- 12 years (interval from 7 to 69 years). Average weight was 57.1 +/- 13.8 kg (32.3-85.0 kg). Forty-two devices (ranging diameters from 13 mm to 40 mm) were deployed, 40 of which were placed successfully and attempts were unsuccessful in two cases (diameter devices 36 mm and 40 mm, respectively). We used the "balloon on the left or right upper pulmonary vein" in 5 patients, achieving good deployment. Echocardiography showed total occlusion in 37 patients (93.5%), trivial leak in 2 (4.7%), and light leak in 1 patient (2.3%). Follow up was at 1 to 12 months (mean 6.5). Total occlusion was observed at one month on both patients with trivial leak, and at 6 months on the patient with light leak. Failure to deploy the device appropriately on the two patients with unsuccessful result was due to unfavorable anatomy: very large defects in both cases (occluder size 36 mm and 40 mm), very thin postero-superior 6 mm rim on one of them and aortic rim absence on the other one. Stretched diameters were 34 mm and 38 mm on patients with 36 mm and 40 mm devices, respectively. Both of them were sent to surgery. We conclude that percutaneus closure of atrial septal defect with the Amplatzer device is a save and have good results.