Fat embolism associated with an atrial septal defect.

A case of a patient with pulmonary fat embolism following fractures of femurs and pelvis, with a fatal outcome after 3 days, is presented. Post mortem examination revealed a congenital osteum secundum heart defect, and widespread capillary occlusions from systemic fat microembolization.     

Coronary embolism following atrial septal defect repair

To our knowledge, coronary embolism following repair of atrial septal defect has not been reported previously. A 29-year-old woman had an angiographically documented embolus to the circumflex coronary artery on the fifth postoperative day after pericardial patch repair of a secundum atrial septal defect. This complication might have been prevented by temporary postoperative anticoagulation.     

Paradoxical amniotic fluid embolism presenting before caesarean section in a woman with an atrial septal defect

We present a case of presumed amniotic fluid embolism in a 33-year-old parturient at 30 weeks of gestation, which occurred just before she was due to receive spinal anaesthesia for urgent caesarean section. While sitting, the woman suddenly lost consciousness, started having convulsions and finally suffered cardiorespiratory collapse. She was resuscitated and a live baby was delivered by emergency caesarean section. An echocardiogram performed postoperatively showed a large atrial septal defect and severe right ventricular dysfunction with moderate pulmonary hypertension. Paradoxical amniotic fluid embolism was diagnosed. After extubation she was aphasic and had a right hemiparesis. She made a good recovery and was discharged from hospital 24 days later, at which time she had a slight weakness on her right side. Three months later she had a normal gait with no obvious neurological deficit.     

Fatal pulmonary embolism after atrial septal defect closure in a paediatric patient.

A four-year-old girl died of massive acute bilateral pulmonary embolism 11 days after direct closure of a secundum atrial septal defect (ASD II), despite postoperative anticoagulation until the patient was ambulatory. An autopsy showed thrombotic deposits on the suture line of the ASD closure, bilateral 90% occlusion of the pulmonary arteries, and haemorrhagic ulcerative ischaemic colitis of the descending colon and the sigmoid.     

Massive haemoptysis complicating prosthetic patch pulmonary embolism after atrial septal defect repair.

A case is presented of a 43 year old woman with massive haemotypsis secondary to non-thrombotic pulmonary embolism complicating atrial septal defect repair with a prosthetic patch. Non-thrombotic embolus must be considered in the differential diagnosis of massive haemoptysis.     

Pericardial patch for atrial septal defect closure

Pericardium is an eminently suitable material for the closure of atrial septal defects. However, when it is not treated with glutaraldehyde, it is difficult to handle because of curling in of the edges. A technique is described by which pericardium can be used to close atrial septal defects with minimal handling and assistance, and without chemical pretreatment.     

复合技术治疗低龄低体重病儿房间隔缺损

目的 介绍一种房间隔缺损(ASD)"复合"技术介入封堵方法,并探讨该手术方法的优缺点.方法 2007年6月至2008年3月,27例婴幼儿房间隔缺损者接受新"复合"技术治疗.其中男15例,女12例.年龄3个月-4岁,平均(2.00±O.22)岁.采用浅镇静加局部麻醉,非气管插管单纯面罩吸氧或喉罩下辅助通气支持,胸骨旁第4肋间小切口,保留胸膜,经胸膜外进入心包腔显露右心房壁,切开右房壁置入ASD封堵器及输送器.心前区或剑突下超声引导进行ASD介入封堵术.结果 全部病儿3d后康复出院,随访0.5-9.5个月,平均(5.9±0.5)个月,仅l例病儿因心包压塞行心包穿刺引流术,余无异常.超声检查没有残余分流或其它并发症.结论 该手术方法创伤小、疗效好,费用低,是婴幼儿ASD病例一种较为理想手术方法.     

Use of Amplatzer septal occluder system for atrial septal defect closure

Short-term results of minimally invasive transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect using Amplatzer septal occluder system (AGA Medical Corporation, USA) at 72 patients are analyzed. Technique of surgical procedure is described in detail. Morphometric protocol used for determination of indications and contraindication for endoscopic closure is also described. The causes of impossibility of endovascular procedures are established. The rate of transoccluder blood bypasses in postoperative period is demonstrated.     

Creation of an atrial septal defect for acute postperfusion right ventricular failure

Acute postperfusion right ventricular failure following mitral and aortic valve replacement in a patient with severe double-valve incompetence secondary to endocarditis is presented. The situation was reversed by creating an atrial septal defect that decompressed the right ventricle and increased left ventricular filling pressure.