Atrial arrhythmias in patients beyond 40 Years of age post atrial septal defect device closure

Patients >40 years with an atrial septal defect (ASD) may have atrial arrhythmia which warrants treatment. It is unclear whether preventive left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion should be performed simultaneously during ASD closure in these patients.

This study aimed to examine the incidence of de novo atrial arrhythmia in patients >40 years old post transcatheter closure of ASD.

This was a single-center, retrospective study involving all consecutive patients who have undergone device closure of ASDs at age >40 years. Standard 12-lead ECGs were performed pre-procedure and during every clinic follow-up. Ambulatory monitors were applied when indicated.

Eighty-eight patients (mean age: 51.81 ± 8.01 years; male: 22.7%) were recruited and followed up over a median duration of 3.6 years (range: 1-6.5). Seven patients (8%) had documented atrial arrhythmia (AA) pre and post ASD closure. Two patients (2.5%) developed de novo atrial fibrillation and one patient (1.2%), ectopic atrial rhythm during follow-up. In univariate analyses, age >61.3 years (p < 0.001), a history of palpitation (p = 0.006), right atrial area >25.15cm2 pre-closure (p = 0.004); dilated right and left atrium immediately post ASD closure (p = 0.016 & 0.001) and pulmonary vascular resistance >1.31Woods unit (p = 0.036) were associated with increased risk of AA. However, on multivariate analyses, none were significantly associated with AA.

De novo atrial arrhythmia after ASD device closure is uncommon.