Effects of percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect on left atrial mechanical and conduction functions

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is one of the most common congenital heart diseases in adults. We prospectively evaluated early and mid-term effects of the percutaneous closure of secundum ASD on atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) and left atrial (LA) mechanical functions at the first day and sixth month in patients undergoing percutaneous closure.

Forty-one patients were included in this study. Twenty-six (63.4%) of the 41 patients were female and the mean age was 41 ± 13 years. All the patients had echocardiographic examination before the procedure and at the first day and sixth month after the procedure. LA volumes (maximal, minimal, and presystolic) and EMD (lateral, septal, and tricuspid) were measured. Left and right intra- and inter-AEMD were not changed at the first day but both were significantly shorter at the sixth month. There was no change in the total emptying volume and fraction before and after the procedure. LA maximal, minimal, and pre-systolic volumes, active emptying volume, and fractions were decreased at the first day and at the sixth month compared with pre-procedural volumes. LA passive emptying volume, passive emptying fraction, and conduit volume were increased at the first day and at the sixth month compared with pre-procedural volumes.

Our results revealed that there was no change in the LA mechanical reservoir functions, but improved conduit function and impaired contractility functions early and in the mid-term after percutaneous closure of ASD and decreased AEMD only in the mid-term.