Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect by "buttoned" devices.

During a 21-month period ending in August 1991, 12 patients underwent transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) with a "buttoned" device through an 8Fr sheath, using an institutional review board-approved, custom-made device protocol initially, and Food and Drug Administration-approved clinical trials subsequently. Ten children had left-to-right shunts across the ASD and 2 adults had their patent foramen ovale closed to prevent recurrent paradoxical embolism (including cerebrovascular accidents). The device dislodged in 1 of the 4 patients in whom a first-generation device was used, and retrieval of the device, and surgical closure of the ASD were performed without incident. In the remaining 11 patients (age range 7 months to 45 years, weight 3.6 to 64 kg), the device remained intact, and pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio decreased from 2.1 +/- 0.3 to 1.04 +/- 0.06. Follow-up chest x-ray and echo-Doppler studies were available in all patients 0.5 to 18 months after the procedure. The device was intact in all patients. Small residual shunt detected by color Doppler was seen in 2 children. Right ventricular size decreased (23 +/- 6 to 17 +/- 3 mm; p less than 0.01), and paradoxical septal motion disappeared in all patients. There was no recurrence of paradoxical embolism in the 2 adults. No complications occurred during follow-up. It is concluded that transcatheter closure of ASD with the buttoned device is feasible, effective and safe, and can be accomplished with small, 8Fr sheaths (even in infants weighing 3.6 kg), follow-up results are excellent, and clinical trials on a larger number of patients are needed.     

Relationship of echocardiographic, shunt flow, and angiographic size to the stretched diameter of the atrial septal defect.

Stretched diameter of the atrial septal defect (ASD), measured by balloon sizing, is generally used as a guide to the selection of the size of the device utilized for transcatheter closure of the ASD. Balloon sizing is a cumbersome procedure and sometimes requires the use of very large size balloon catheters. Several methods of assessment of ASD size, namely, echographic, pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio (Qp:Qs), and angiographic measures, were undertaken in a group of 16 patients, aged 7 months to 45 years (median, 4.5 years), who were being evaluated for transcatheter closure of ASD; the results were compared with the stretched diameter. Although the echographic size of the ASD (9.9 +/- 4.1 mm, mean +/- SD) is similar (p greater than 0.1) to the angiographic size (7.9 +/- 2.5 mm), it is much smaller (p less than 0.01) than the stretched diameter (16.1 +/- 5.3 mm). When the relationship between various measures of ASD was examined, although the Qp:Qs ratio and angiographic size have a significant (p less than 0.05) correlation with the stretched diameter (r = 0.55 and 0.54, respectively), the echo diameter has the best correlation coefficient, r = 0.82, p less than 0.001. The stretched diameter can be estimated by the equation: 1.05 x echo + 5.49 mm. It is concluded that the echographic diameter is a useful adjunct in the estimation of the stretch ASD diameter, which in turn can be used in the selection of the size of the device for transcatheter occlusion of the ASD.     

Closure of Atrial Septal Defects With the Amplatzer Occlusion Device: Preliminary Results

Objectives. This study reports our clinical experience with transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defects (ASDs) in children, using the Amplatzer, a new occlusion device.Background. None of the devices previously used for transcatheter closure of interatrial communications has gained wide acceptance.Methods. We examined the efficacy and safety of the Amplatzer, a new self-centering septal occluder that consists of two round disks made of Nitinol wire mesh and linked together by a short connecting waist. Sixteen patients with secundum ASD met established two- and three-dimensional echocardiographic and cardiac catheterization criteria for transcatheter closure. The Amplatzer’s size was chosen to be equal to or 1 mm less than the stretched diameter. The device was advanced transvenously into a 7F long guiding sheath and deployed under fluoroscopic and ultrasound guidance. Once its position was optimal, it was released.Results. The mean ASD diameter by transesophageal echocardiography was 14.1 ± 2.3 mm and was significantly smaller (p < 0.001) than the stretched diameter of the ASD (16.8 ± 2.4 mm). The mean device diameter was 16.6 ± 2.3 mm. No complications were observed. After deployment of the prosthesis, there was no residual shunt in 13 (81.3%) of 16 patients. In three patients there was trivial residual shunt immediately after the procedure that had disappeared in two of them at the 3-month follow-up.Conclusions. The Amplatzer is an efficient prosthesis that can be safely applied in children with secundum ASD. However, a study including a large number of patients and a longer follow-up period are required before this technique can be widely used.     

经胸超声心动图在Amplatzer封堵器治疗成人巨大房间隔缺损中的应用

目的　评价经胸超声心动图监测 (TTE)Amplatzer封堵器介入治疗巨大房间隔缺损(ASD)的安全性和可行性。方法　 2 1例住院患者 ,男 12例 ,女 9例 ;年龄 17～ 4 5岁 ;均经临床及超声心动图证实的继发孔型ASD ,以充盈球囊最大伸展直径加 2～ 4mm为原则选择封堵器型号 ,TTE监测下放置Amplatzer封堵器。随访有无残余分流及是否影响周围瓣膜和静脉功能 ,记录临床事件 (血栓栓塞、心功能不全、心律失常等 )。结果　 2 1例全部封堵成功 ,TTE监测放置Amplatzer封堵成功 ,手术成功率 10 0 % ;术后即刻及 1天、3天、3个月、6个月、1年复查TTE观察无明显残余分流及影响周围瓣膜功能 ,也无腔、肺静脉狭窄 ,无血栓栓塞事件发生 ,无封堵器移位和脱落 ,心功能有不同程度的好转。1例发生频发房性心律失常 ,经心律平 4 5 0mg d治疗 1个月后消失 ,无其他并发症发生。结论　Amp latzer封堵器介入治疗成人巨大ASD是一种安全、有效的治疗方法 ,TTE监测ASD介入封堵治疗整个过程 ,可以提高一次释放成功率     

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects

The first transcatheter closure of an atrial septal defect (ASD) was performed by King and Mills in 1976. The Lock Clamshell occluder and the buttoned device are the latest devices to undergo clinical trials. Successful transcatheter closure has been possible with minimal morbidity and mortality. Small residual shunts may remain, however, in up to 20% of patients 1 year after the procedure. The clinical significance and natural history of these small residual atrial communications remains to be determined. This article reviews the history and development of the current ASD closure techniques, with emphasis on the experience with the Lock Clamshell occluder and the buttoned device.     

Transcatheter Atrial Septal Defect Closure: Preliminary Experience with the Rashkind Occluder Device

The early experience at the University of Michigan with the Rashkind ASD occluder in three children with a secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) is reported. Successful transcatheter ASD closure was accomplished in one child. The procedure was not successful in the other two. In one, the ASD occluder was inadvertently implanted in the right atrium. The ASD was successfully closed in the other child, but the occluder device partially detached from the atrial septum 4 days later and required emergency surgical retrieval from the left atrium. Based on this early experience, revisions in the occluder device and the technique of its delivery are suggested that should improve the safety and efficacy of transcatheter ASD occlusion in the future.     

Transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defects using the new self-centering amplatzer septal occluder: Initial human experience

Transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) using clamshell or buttoned devices is accompanied by a high incidence of residual shunt. Recently, a new self-centering device, the Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO), has been evaluated in an animal model with very good results. Therefore, our purpose is to report on our initial clinical experience with this device. Thirty patients underwent an attempt at catheter closure of their ASDs at a median age of 6.1 yr (range, 2.9–62.4 yr) and median weight of 22 kg (range, 13–69 kg) using the ASO. The median ASD diameter measured by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was 12.5 mm (range, 5–21 mm), and the median ASD balloon stretched diameter was 14 mm (range, 7–19 mm). All patients had right atrial and ventricular volume overload with a mean ± SD Qp/Qs of 2.3 ± 0.6. A 7F catheter was used for delivery of the device in all patients. The device was placed correctly in all patients. There was immediate and complete closure (C) in 17/30 patients, 10 patients had trivial residual shunt (TS), and 3 had moderate residual shunt (MS). The median fluoroscopy time was 15 min (range, 8–35 min), and the median total procedure time was 92.5 min (range, 40–135 min). There was no episode of device embolization or any other complication. Follow-up was performed using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) 1 day, 1 mo, 3 mo, and yearly thereafter. At 1 day, there was C of the ASD in 24/30 patients, 3 had TS, 1 had small shunt (SS), and 2 had MS. At a median follow-up interval of 6 mo, there have been no episodes of endocarditis, thromboembolism, or wire fracture. We conclude that the use of the new ASO is safe and effective in complete closure of secundum ASDs up to a diameter of 21 mm in the majority of patients. Further clinical trials are underway. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 42:388–393, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Transcatheter closure of large secundum atrial septal defects using the 40 mm Amplatzer septal occluder: results of an international registry.

Little is known about the efficacy and safety of the 40 mm Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO). Thirty-three patients (22 female, 11 male) with a large secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) underwent attempted device closure using the 40 mm ASO at a median age of 40 years (range, 14-81 years) and median weight of 65 kg (range, 48-98 kg). The median size of the ASD measured on 2D transesophageal echocardiography (27 patients) or intracardiac echocardiography (6 patients) was 30.5 mm (range, 24-39 mm) and the median balloon-stretched diameter was 37.7 mm (range, 32-43.7 mm). The median Qp:Qs ratio was 3.2:1 (range, 1.4-6.2). The attempt was unsuccessful in five patients; two had device embolization and one had left atrial wall perforation due to the sheath; all three required emergent surgery. The attempt was successful in the 28 remaining patients, resulting in complete immediate closure in 14 and a trivial residual shunt in 14. Fluoroscopy time ranged from 8.6 to 37.8 min (median, 12.2 min). At 24-hr follow-up, 2D transthoracic echocardiography with color flow Doppler revealed complete closure in 23 patients, and 5 had a trivial residual shunt. There were no complications encountered in patients who received the device. On follow-up, all patients are doing well. We conclude that the 40 mm ASO is safe and effective in most patients with a large ASD up to a diameter of 39 mm. However, the use of this device requires careful attention as the procedure may be unsuccessful or the device may embolize.     

Transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defect with a new self-expanding nitinol double disk device (Amplatzer device): experience in Nanjing

PURPOSE: Various devices have been developed for the transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defect (ASD II) to avoid the morbidity, discomfort, and thoracotomy scar associated with surgical closure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Amplatzer septal occluder for transcatheter closure of ASD II. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Only patients who were clinically diagnosed with ASD II were selected. The anatomy of ASD had to meet certain echocardiographic criteria. Under the guidance of echocardiography and fluoroscopy, the implantation of the device was accomplished as recommended by the manufacturer. RESULTS: Thirty patients (median age 18.4 years) with an ASD II underwent transcatheter closure. Procedure time ranged from 30-200 minutes and fluoroscopy time from 10-50 minutes. The diameter of the ASD measured by echocardiography ranged from 13-25 mm, while both the stretched diameters of the ASDs and the sizes of the devices ranged from 18-34 mm. The successful placement rate was 100%. The residual shunt rate was 100% immediately after device implantation and 10% after 24 hours. After 3 months, 3.3% of the patients had a (trivial) residual shunt. The device did not affect the surrounding structures of ASD. No embolization of the device occurred. CONCLUSION: The Amplatzer device designed for the closure of ASD II can be implanted easily and also is retrievable. Due to a low ratio of residual shunt and few complications, this device is a good choice for transcatheter closure of ASD II. Long-term follow-up will be required for widespread clinical use.     

Non-surgical repair of atrial septal defect by "buttoned" double disk device in children. First results in 3 children

Transcatheter closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) with a "buttoned" double-disk device was attempted in 5 children aged 14 months to 12 years, with success in 3 cases. The diameter of the ASD was 15 to 20 mm. The occluding devices were chosen with sizes 12-15 mm greater than those of the ASDs. There were no operative complications: the ASD was practically completely occluded in 2 children and left a very small shunt in a third case. Those three patients are doing well, 8 to 9 months after the procedure. In the other two cases, the device fell into the right atrium and had to be removed surgically without any complications. The "buttoned" double-disk device seems to be relatively simple and easy to insert through an 8F catheter. Additional technical improvements should enable more complete occlusion of ASD and easier retrieval by the transvenous route when incorrectly inserted. Further experimental and clinical studies are required to assess the results and to compare them with those of the other teams.     

Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Communications Using the Amplatzer™ Septal Occluder

Certain types of atrial septal defects (ASDs) are amenable for transcatheter closure using various investigational devices. The use of the clamshell or buttoned devices is accompanied with a high incidence of residual shunt. The experience of ASD closure using the Amplatzer™ Septal Occluder (ASO) is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to discuss the protocol of closure and report on the acute results using this device. Nineteen patients (17 ASD/2 fenestrated Fontan [FF]) underwent an attempt at catheter closure of their defects at a median age of 13.3 years (range 5.5–67.4 years) and a median weight of 49 kg (range 18–94 kg) using the ASO. The median ASD diameter measured by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was 12 mm (range 6–23.8 mm), and the median defect balloon stretched diameter was 17 mm (range 6–31 mm). All ASD patients had right atrial and ventricular volume overload with a mean ± SD Qp/Qs of 2.4 ± 0.9. A 7 to 8Fr catheter was used for delivery of the device in all patients. The device was placed correctly in all but one patient. There were immediate and complete closures (C) in 13 of 18 patients; 3 patients had trivial residual shunts (TS), and 2 patients had small residual shunts (SS). In the two patients with FF, oxygen saturation improved from 85% to 95% and 88% to 96%, respectively. One patient received two devices for two separate defects. The median fluoroscopy time was 15.5 minutes (range 7.4–33.4 minutes), and the median total procedural time was 78 minutes (range 52–180 minutes). There was one episode of device embolization in one patient. The device was successfully retrieved and 2 months later a second closure was performed successfully. No other complications were encountered during or after the procedure. Follow-up was performed using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) at 1 day and 1 month and by TEE at 3 months. At day 1, there was C of the defect in 15 of 19 patients and 4 had TS; 18 patients completed 1-month follow-up, 16 of 18 had C and 2 patients had TS. Eleven patients completed 3-month follow-up, all with C. So far there have been no episodes of endocarditis, thromboembolism, or wire fracture. We conclude that the use of the new ASO is safe and effective in complete closure of atrial communications up to 23.8 mm in diameter.     

老年房间隔缺损患者经导管封堵治疗的可行性及疗效

目的　探讨经导管封堵治疗老年房间隔缺损患者的可行性及疗效。方法　 19例年龄≥ 6 0岁的老年房间隔缺损患者 ,术前经胸超声测量房间隔缺损直径为 10～ 34(2 4 .4± 8.2 )mm ,其中 3例患者为双孔型房间隔缺损。 11例患者合并心房颤动或阵发性心房颤动。X线胸片示心胸比例均 >0 .5 (0 .5 2～ 0 .70 )。术前心功能 (NYHA分级 )Ⅱ级8例 ,Ⅲ级 9例 ,Ⅳ级 2例。所有患者均在局麻下 ,应用X线透视和经胸心脏超声引导行房间隔缺损封堵术。结果术中测肺动脉平均压力 2 1～ 4 7mmHg(1mmHg=0 .133kPa) ,其中肺动脉平均压力 >2 5mmHg者 16例。所有患者均用Amplatzer房间隔缺损封堵器或国产双盘状封堵器一次封堵治疗成功。所用封堵器直径为 14～ 38mm。 3例双孔型缺损 ,2例用 2 8mm和 32mm封堵器一并封堵 ,另 1例用直径 14mm和直径 2 6mm的封堵器封堵成功。所有患者于术后 5～ 7d行经胸心脏超声检查 ,无残余分流。术后患者心功能明显改善 ,随访 1～ 30个月 ,无封堵器相关的并发症。结论　经导管封堵治疗老年房间隔缺损患者是一种安全有效的方法。     

Transcatheter closure of congenital and acquired muscular ventricular septal defects using the Amplatzer device

Surgical closure of congenital or post-myocardial infarction (MI) muscular ventricular septal defect (MVSD) is associated with significant mortality and morbidity; therefore, both surgeons and cardiologists would welcome a safe non-surgical approach. The aim of this study is to report the combined experience of 2 cardiac centers in the transcatheter occlusion of both congenital and acquired MVSDs using the Amplatzer MVSD occluder device (AGA Medical Corporation, Golden Valley, Minnesota). Thirty-two patients underwent attempted transcatheter closure of an MVSD. Nineteen of these patients had congenital unoperated MVSD, twelve had post-MI MVSD and 1 patient had an acquired VSD post-surgical repair of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The median age of patients was 11.5 years (range, 0.1 86.0 years) and median weight was 34.5 kg (3.4 123.0 kg). All patients had significant shunt documented by echocardiography with a median Qp/Qs ratio of 1.7 (range, 1.0 5.3). The VSD location was mid-muscular in 14 patients, posterior in 10, apical in 5 and anterior in 3. The systolic pulmonary artery pressure ranged from 10 85 mmHg (median, 34.5 mmHg). The device was implanted successfully in 30 patients. The device size ranged from 6 26 mm (2 of these were ASD devices). There was immediate complete closure of the defect in 15 patients and 14 patients had residual shunt (foaming through the device). The median fluoroscopy time was 56.7 minutes (range, 11.7 146.0 minutes). Complications included: tamponade in 1 patient resulting in death; device malposition in 1 patient requiring surgical removal; severe hemolysis in 2 patients; and transient junctional rhythm in 1 patient. Among the 30 patients with successful implantation, three died in the hospital and 2 died later. On follow-up evaluation, there were no episodes of endocarditis, thromboembolism, hemolysis or wire disruption. We conclude that the Amplatzer MVSD occluder is a safe and effective device for closure of MVSDs up to 14 mm in diameter. Further clinical trials with this device are underway.     

Choice of device size and results of transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect using the amplatzer septal occluder

The impact of device size choice on closure results was analyzed in 138 (101 females, 37 males; age 0.5-84.0 years) consecutive patients who underwent transcatheter closure of the secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) using the Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO). The balloon stretched diameter (SD) of ASD was 19.5 +/- 7.2 mm in 123 patients with single defects, and 20.4 +/- 6.6 mm for the largest defects in 15 patients with multiple ASDs. The difference (delta) between ASO size chosen for closure and the stretched diameter of the defect was calculated and divided into groups: A (delta < -2 mm); B (delta -2.0 to -0.1 mm); C (delta = 0); D (delta 0.1-2.0 mm) and E (delta > 2 mm). The results demonstrated that immediate and 24-hour complete closure rates were significantly higher in patients in groups C and D (P < 0.001). However, at 6-month follow-up, the complete closure rates were similar in patients of groups A-D, while patients of group E had a lower closure rate of 75%. The complication rates were similar in all groups. In conclusion, a choice of a device size identical to or within 2 mm larger than the SD of the defect should be used to maximize the closure rates of ASD using the ASO.     

房间隔缺损经导管封堵术对心率变异性的影响及意义

目的探讨房间隔缺损(ASD)经导管封堵术对心率变异性(HRV)的影响及意义。方法选择成功接受介入治疗的ASD患者118例为研究对象(ASD组),分别于术前1天及术后第4天记录24h动态心电图,由电脑自动分析并经心电专业人员校正,得出HRV的各项时域指标;另按术前心脏超声测得的肺循环血流量/体循环血流量(Qp/Qs)分为Ⅰ组(Qp/Qs<1.5)与Ⅱ组(Qp/Qs≥1.5),分析两亚组患者HRV,并行Qp/Qs与HRV的相关性分析。结果与对照组比较,ASD组封堵术前后24hRR间期标准差(SDNN)及24h内每5min节段RR间期均值标准差(SDANN)均显著降低(P<0.01或0.05);Ⅱ组降低更明显。ASD组封堵术后RR间期、SDNN及SDANN均较术前增加(P<0.05);Ⅱ组介入治疗术后的SDNN、ASDNN较Ⅰ组术后明显减小(P<0.05)。ASD患者术前SDNN及SDANN与Qp/Qs呈负相关(r值分别为-0.528、-0.644,P<0.01)。结论ASD封堵术后HRV水平明显恢复;Qp/Qs越大的ASD患者不仅术前HRV水平降低更显著,术后的恢复也越慢。     

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects in children & adults using the Amplatzer Septal Occluder

We are reporting the worldwide experience in closing atrial septal defects (ASDs) in children and adults using the Amplatzer Septal Occluder (ASO) as of July 2000. The outcome measures were safety and efficacy with special emphasis on: (1) immediate success of the ASD closure as measured by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), (2) short- and medium-term follow-up at 24 hours and 1 and 3 months and long-term follow-up at 1, 2, and 3 years as assessed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE); and (3) the incidence of complications. In all, 3580 procedures were performed in 3535 patients. In 75 patients, the device was not implanted for variety of reasons; 3460 patients received a single ASO device and 45 received two devices for multiple ASDs. The median age of the patients was 12.1 year, (range, 10 days-88 years, the median weight was 41.0 kg (range, 2.4-137 kg) and the median Qp/Qs ratio was 2 (range, 0.3-10). The median size of ASD by TEE was 14 mm (range, 1-38 mm) and the median stretched diameter was 18 mm (range, 4-44 mm). The median size of device implanted was 18 mm (range, 4-40 mm). The median fluoroscopy time was 17.1 minutes (range, 0.0-194.0 minutes). The immediate success rate including those patients with complete closure, trivial residual shunt, or with small residual shunt was 97.4%. This increased to 99.2% and 100% at 3 months and 3 years, respectively. Minor complications were encountered in 2.8% of procedures, while serious complications occurred in less than 0.3% of the cases. There were no device related deaths. We conclude that the ASO is a safe and effective device for catheter closure of small to large ASDs up to a stretched diameter of 40 mm in children and adults with very high short-, medium, and long-term success rates.     

Transcatheter closure of moderate to large patent ductus arteriosus with the Amplatzer duct occluder.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the acute and follow-up results of transcatheter closure of moderate to large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with the Amplatzer duct occluder. METHODS: Between April 2000 and June 2005, 237 patients underwent attempted transcatheter closure of PDA, of whom Amplatzer duct occluder was used in 68 patients with moderate-to-large-sized PDA (45 females, with ages ranging from 56 days to 75 years, median 3.3 years). Moderate to large PDA is defined as ductus diameter > or =2.5 mm (> or =3 mm in early phase of this study) in infants and young children, or > or =4 mm in adolescents and adults. The size of device selected was generally at least 1-2 mm larger than ductus diameter. RESULTS: The ductus diameter ranged from 2.5 to 8.5 mm (4.1 +/- 1.3 mm). Amplatzer duct occluder was successfully deployed in 66 out of 68 patients. The size of device deployed ranged from 4 to 12 mm (6.3 +/- 1.6 mm). The causes of failure in the 2 patients included calcification of ductus resulting, in failure in advancing a sheath to descending aorta in 1 and kinking of a Cook sheath in the other. Distal embolization of the device occurred several hours later in one. After the device was retrieved percutaneously, the patient was sent to surgery. No other significant complications occurred. In the 3-month follow-up, complete occlusion was achieved in all patients. No patient had left pulmonary artery stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter closure of moderate-to-large-sized ductus with Amplatzer ductus occluder is effective and safe.     

Intracardiac echocardiography-guided atrial septal defect transcatheter closure of a very old surgical residual shunt

Although some studies have suggested excellent long-term outcome, arrhythmias, pulmonary hypertension, and paradoxical cerebral embolism are mentioned as results of residual shunts in the long-term follow-up after surgical atrial septal defect (ASD) closure at a young age. In cases of previous patch closure, transcatheter repair of residual shunts can be problematic due both to clinical decision-making in the presence of elevated pulmonary pressure and to a very old patch. A 70-year-old woman operated for an ASD with synthetic patch closure when she was 35 years old was referred to our center because of recurrent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, initially decompensated right heart failure with rest and exercise-induced dyspnea as results of a residual shunt and moderate pulmonary hypertension. Complete right heart catheterization confirmed a mean pulmonary pressure of about 55 mm Hg and a Qp:Qs ratio of 1.78. A mechanical intracardiac echocardiography study with a 9F 9 MHz UltraICE catheter (Boston Scientific Corp.) showed a highly echogenous interatrial patch with a very stiff appearance and a very high residual defect of 8.7 and 11.2 mm on the aortic valve plane and on the four-chamber views, respectively. An occlusion test with a compliant AGA medical balloon demonstrated a decrease in mean pulmonary pressure to 36 mm Hg. A 10 mm Amplatzer's ASD occluder was implanted after a first unsuccessful attempt due to patch stiffness. Three-month echocardiography follow-up demonstrated almost normal pulmonary pressure and only slight dilation of the right chambers. At six-month follow-up, the patient no longer experienced dyspnea. This case demonstrates that transcatheter closure of a residual shunt following surgical ASD repair can be successfully accomplished also in elderly patients with a very old patch and decompensated right heart failure: the balloon occlusion test and intracardiac echocardiography appear to be effective in the operative decision-making process.     

国产封堵器介入治疗房间隔缺损的临床分析

目的总结应用国产封堵器介入治疗房间隔缺损（ASD）的临床疗效。方法本组22例ASD患者均为继发孔型，男性5例，女性17例，年龄3～67岁，体重11～65kg，缺损直径8～32mm，合并动脉导管未闭1例，多孔ASD2例，轻度肺动脉压升高6例，均经股静脉途径应用国产封堵器行封堵术，术后超声心动图随访。结果22例患者均成功封堵。术后即刻完全封堵19例，3例有少量残余分流，随访分流消失，无严重并发症。结论国产封堵器介入治疗房间隔缺损是一种安全、有效的方法。     

Determinants of cardiopulmonary functional improvement after transcatheter atrial septal defect closure in asymptomatic adults

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the course of cardiopulmonary function after transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) closure and to identify the physiopathologic mechanisms leading to this change. BACKGROUND: Conflicting reports exist on cardiopulmonary functional improvement in asymptomatic adults after transcatheter closure of a secundum ASD. METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive adults (13 males; age 42.6 +/- 16.7 years) underwent maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing and transthoracic echocardiography both on the day before and six months after transcatheter ASD closure. Mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary to systemic flow ratio (Qp/Qs), and ASD diameter were measured before closure. RESULTS: Peak oxygen uptake (Vo(2)) (p < 0.001), peak oxygen pulse (p = 0.0027), and vital capacity (p = 0.0086) improved after ASD closure, although peak heart rate did not. A significant correlation was found between peak Vo(2) improvements and Qp/Qs (p = 0.0013). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (p < 0.0001) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) (p < 0.0001) significantly increased after six months, although left ventricular end-systolic diameter did not. Right ventricular long- and short-axis dimensions decreased (both p < 0.0001). Peak Vo(2) and of peak oxygen pulse improvements correlated to both LVEF (p = 0.0009 and 0.0019, respectively) and LVEDD (p < 0.0001 and 0.032, respectively) increments. The decrease of both long- and short-axis right ventricular dimensions positively correlated to both LVEF and LVEDD improvements. The improvement in LVEF correlated to Qp/Qs (p = 0.0026). CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter ASD closure leads to a significant improvement in cardiopulmonary function within six months, via an increase in peak oxygen pulse. An increase in both left ventricular stroke volume and cardiac output due to a positive ventricular interaction is the mechanism leading to improved peak Vo(2).