Versatility of Atrial Flow Regulator Device in Congenital Heart Disease: A Case Series

The Atrial Flow Regulator (AFR) is a self-expandable double-disk device with a central fenestration, intended to maintain a calibrated communication across the interatrial septum. Only case reports and small case series have been published about its use in the pediatric and congenital heart disease (CHD) population. We described AFR implantation in three congenital patients with different anatomies and indications. In the first case, the AFR was deployed to create a stable fenestration in a Fontan conduit, while in the second, it was used to reduce a Fontan fenestration. In the third case, we implanted an AFR to decompress the left atrium of an adolescent with complex CHD in natural history, with complete mixing, ductal-dependent systemic circulation and combined pulmonary hypertension. This case series demonstrates the great potential of the AFR device in the CHD field, showing versatility, efficacy, and safety in establishing a calibrated and stable shunt, with promising hemodynamic and symptomatic benefits.