TRANSCATHETER DEVICE CLOSURE OF SECUNDUM ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECT (ASD) IN YOUNG CHILDREN

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the safety and efficacy of device closure of secundum atrial septal defect in children ≤ 5
years of age.
Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology / National
Institute of Heart Diseases Rawalpindi, Pakistan from Dec 2010 - Dec 2012.
Patients and Method: Forty eight patients ≤ 5 years of age underwent transcatheter closure of secundum ASD
during two years. All patients were evaluated with 2-D echocardiography before the procedure. The sizing
balloon was used in 6% and general anaesthesia was given in 83% (n=40) of patients.
Results: Ninety seven point nine percent (47/48) had successful closure of ASD. The mean age was 4.1 ± .68 years
(range 2.5-5 years) and 58.4% (28/48) were females. The defect size and occluders used were between 5-20 mm
(mean 12 ± 3.5) and 8-22 mm (mean 15 ± 3.9) respectively, three patients had simultaneous procedures including
pulmonary valvuloplasty in two and percutaneous transmitral commissurotomy (PTMC) in one. The major
complications remained 2% (1/48) which included device embolization just after release of device while minor
complication rate was 12.5%. The median procedure time was 30 min (15-100 min) and median fluoroscopic time
was 6 min (1.50-45 min). There was no emergency surgical exploration or death during this period.
Conclusion: Transcatheter device closure of suitable secundum atrial septal defect is effective and safe in young
children in skilled and professional hands.