Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2025
07:41
Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure
Published on: February 8, 2022
3.7K
Left Atrial Stiffness Increases after Trans-Catheter Atrial Septal Closure
Shuhei Tanaka1, Teruhiko Imamura1, Nobuyuki Fukuda1
1Second Department of Internal Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|January 23, 2024
Summary
Transcatheter closure for atrial septal defects (ASD) improves heart function but increases left atrial stiffness. This stiffness elevation, particularly long-term, requires further study to understand its clinical impact.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Devices
- Cardiac Physiology
Background:
- Transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) closure is effective for secundum ASDs.
- The effect of device implantation on left atrial stiffness is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of transcatheter ASD closure on left atrial stiffness.
- To explore the relationship between left atrial stiffness and baseline patient characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Included patients with secundum ASD undergoing transcatheter closure.
- Assessed left atrial stiffness using the (E/e' ratio)/(LAs strain) ratio.
- Performed follow-up right heart catheterization at six months.
Main Results:
- Successful transcatheter ASD closure reduced right to left ventricular size ratio.
- Left atrial stiffness, measured by (E/e' ratio)/(LAs strain), significantly increased post-procedure and at 6 months.
- Higher 6-month left atrial stiffness correlated with more severe heart failure symptoms, lower cardiac output, and elevated B-type natriuretic peptides.
Conclusions:
- Transcatheter ASD closure improves hemodynamics and symptoms but elevates left atrial stiffness.
- The long-term clinical significance of increased left atrial stiffness post-ASD closure needs further investigation.
