Abstract
Objective
Closure of atrial septal defect in patients with borderline shunt is controversial. The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcomes of transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) in the patients with the borderline shunt.
Methods
215 pts (126 F,89 M) with a mean age of 31.9±18.2 (16–58) years with a small ASD who underwent transcatheter closure were analyzed. All patients had an isolated secundum ASD with pulmonary to systemic blood flow Qp:Qs ratio≤1.5, mean 1.2±0.6 (1.1–1.5).
A symptom-limited treadmill exercise test with respiratory gas exchange analysis, transthoracic color Doppler echocardiographic study and Quality of life (QoL) (using the SF36 questionnaire (SF36q)) were repeated in all pts before and 36 months after the procedure.
Results
The device was successfully implanted in all pts (procedure time 19.1±5.2 (8–38) minutes, fluoroscopy time 8.1±4.4 (6–13) minutes). There were no major complications. The defect echo diameter was 7.7±3.9 (5 - 15) mm. The diameter of the implanted devices ranged from 6 to 18 mm.
After 36 months of ASD closure, all the pts showed a significant improvement of exercise capacity. 7 QoL parameters (except mental health) improved at 36 months of follow-up compared with baseline. The mean SF36q scale increased in 168 (78.1%) pts of mean 40.2±20.1 (9–72). The right ventricular dimension decreased in 173 pts (80.4%) (Table 1).
Table 1 Parameter Before ASD closure 36 months after ASD closure p value Time of exercise (min) 12.1±5.2 18.6±4.3 <0.001 VO2 peak (ml/kg/min) 10.2±4.7 14.8±4.2 <0.001 SF36q scale 0–100 37.3±22.3 79±29.5 <0.001 Right atrial area (cm2) 20.1±1.7 14.7±1.5 <0.001 Right ventricular area (cm2) 18.1±1.4 12.2±1.5 <0.001
Conclusions
ASD closure in patients with borderline shunt resulted in a significant and long-term clinical and hemodynamic improvement after percutaneous treatment.