Safety, feasibility, and long-term results of percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects using the Amplatzer septal occluder without periprocedural echocardiography.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

We sought to assess the safety and efficacy of percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) under fluoroscopic guidance only, without periprocedural echocardiographic guidance.

BACKGROUND:

Percutaneous closure of ASDs is usually performed using simultaneous fluoroscopic and transthoracic, transesophageal (TEE), or intracardiac echocardiographic (ICE) guidance. However, TEE requires deep sedation or general anesthesia, which considerably lengthens the procedure. TEE and ICE increase costs.

METHODS:

Between 1997 and 2008, a total of 217 consecutive patients (age, 38 ± 22 years; 155 females and 62 males), of whom 44 were children ≤16 years, underwent percutaneous ASD closure with an Amplatzer ASD occluder (AASDO). TEE guidance and general anesthesia were restricted to the children, while devices were implanted under fluoroscopic guidance only in the adults. For comparison of technical safety and feasibility of the procedure without echocardiographic guidance, the children served as a control group.

RESULTS:

The implantation procedure was successful in all but 3 patients (1 child and 2 adults; 1.4%). Mean device size was 23 ± 8 mm (range, 4-40 mm). There was 1 postprocedural complication (0.5%; transient perimyocarditis in an adult patient). At last echocardiographic follow-up, 13 ± 23 months after the procedure, 90% of patients had no residual shunt, whereas a minimal, moderate, or large shunt persisted in 7%, 1%, and 2%, respectively. Four adult patients (2%) underwent implantation of a second device for a residual shunt. During a mean follow-up period of 3 ± 2 years, 2 deaths and 1 ischemic stroke occurred.

CONCLUSION:

According to these results, percutaneous ASD closure using the AASDO without periprocedural echocardiographic guidance seems safe and feasible.

• Authors: Fabien Praz, Andreas Wahl, Mathieu Schmutz, Jean-Pierre Pfammatter, Mladen Pavlovic, Stéphanie Perruchoud, Andrea Remondino, Stephan Windecker, Bernhard Meier
• Journal: The Journal of invasive cardiology (J Invasive Cardiol) Vol. 27 Issue 3 Pg. 157-62 (Mar 2015) ISSN: 1557-2501 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25740969 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Cardiac Catheterization
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Echocardiography, Transesophageal
• Feasibility Studies
• Female
• Fluoroscopy
• Follow-Up Studies
• Heart Septal Defects, Atrial (diagnosis, surgery)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Retrospective Studies
• Septal Occluder Device
• Surgery, Computer-Assisted
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult