Time course of the changes in right and left ventricle function and associated factors after transcatheter closure of...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) function after transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) closure and to assess the influence of the age and the amount of shunt.

Retrospective study PATIENTS: Fifty-three adult patients who underwent transcatheter closure were enrolled, then divided into subgroups according to the age (< 40 years vs ≥ 40 years), and the amount of shunt flow (QpQs < 2.5 vs QpQs ≥ 2.5).

Two-dimensional tissue Doppler imaging was performed in a four-chamber view at the basal ventricular septum (VS) and tricuspid valve annulus (TVA) before and at 1 month and 6 months after closure. Myocardial velocities, the myocardial performance index (MPI), and isovolumic acceleration (IVA) were assessed.

At the TVA, the MPI decreased slightly and then greatly increased at 6 months after closure (P = .002). The IVA improved in all patients (P < .001), and the E'/A' ratio decreased, especially in the old age group (P = .031) and larger shunt group (P = .035). At the VS, S' and the IVA decreased and had not recovered until 6 months in the old age (P = .02) and larger shunt (P = .02). The Qp/Qs showed a significant reverse correlation with a decrease in the E'/A' at the TVA (r = -0.37, P = .008), and age of patient was correlated with a decrease in the IVA at the VS (r = -0.32, P = .019). The age at closure (β = -0.36, P = .002), the Qp/Qs ratio (β = -0.45, P = .01), and RV MPI changes (β = -7.64, P < .001) were found to be associated factors with IVA decrease at the VS.

After ASD closure, RV global function might be impaired. In elderly patients and patients with a large shunt, impairment of LV contractility developed until 6 months after closure. Close long-term observation is required after closure, especially in old-age patients with a large shunt.