Echocardiographic right ventricular remodeling after percutaneous atrial septal defect closure

In order to prevent right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, closure of secundum type atrial septal defects (ASD) is often indicated and percutaneous closure is the preferred treatment modality to do so. The magnitude and time course of RV remodeling is still incompletely understood.

This retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous secundum ASD closure in two tertiary referral centers in The Netherlands. Main study parameters were RV and right atrial dimensions measured with transthoracic echocardiography before and after percutaneous ASD closure. Secondary outcome was change in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class at follow-up.

From the 454 patients who underwent secundum ASD closure, 88 patients (median age 46 [range 17-84]) were included. The majority of RV and right atrial dimensional improvement occurred within 24 h. After a median follow-up of 569 days (IQR: 280-772) a further decrease in dimensions was observed. Comparing baseline and latest follow-up, end-diastolic RV basal diameter decreased from 4.5 SEM 0.1 to 3.9 SEM 0.1 cm (p < 0.001) and end-systolic right atrial area from 22.9 SEM 1.0 to 17.9 SEM 0.7 cm² (p < 0.001). No significant changes in RV function were observed. NYHA functional class improved from 1.5 at baseline (IQR: 1.0-2.0) to 1.0 (IQR: 1.0-1.5) at latest follow-up (p < 0.001).

Remodeling of the RV heart dimensions commences within 24 h after percutaneous secundum ASD closure for the majority of patients, followed by a further gradual recovery. A concurrent improvement of NYHA functional class was observed during follow-up.