Transcatheter closure of large atrial septal defects in children using the left atrial disc engagement-disengagement technique (LADEDT)-technical considerations and short term results

Mid-term follow-up by speckle tracking and cardiac MRI of children post-transcatheter closure of large atrial septal defects

This is a case-control study of our experience of mid-term follow-up of 40 children who had a transcatheter closure of very large atrial septal defects group (1). All cases had an atrial septal defect device size more than 1.5 times their weight, a ratio considered a contraindication for trans catheter closure (TCC) in some previous reports. The aim of this study is to report the outcomes and mid-term follow-up of transcatheter closure of large atrial septal defects using two-dimensional conventional echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging, and four-dimensional speckle tracking imaging, and as such to compare results of same echocardiographic examination of age-matched control group of 40 healthy children group (2). Cardiac MRI was performed on cases group (1) only to detect right ventricle and left ventricle volumes and function and early signs of complications. There was no difference between cases and matched healthy controls in terms of the assessment of left ventricle and right ventricle by two-dimensional echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging, and four-dimensional speckle tracking imaging. Similarly, there was no statistically significant difference between four-dimensional echocardiography and cardiac MRI in their respective assessment of both left ventricle and right ventricle volumes and function. We also detected no complications by echo or by cardiac MRI after a median follow-up period of 2 years and recorded a complete remodelling of right ventricle volumes in all children studied. This points to the safety and efficiency of transcatheter closure of large atrial septal defects in children on mid-term follow-up.

Left ventricular rotational deformation changes by speckle tracking imaging before and 24 hours after transcatheter closure of large secundum atrial septal defects in children

BACKGROUND

Large atrial septal defects (ASDs) in children cause increased volume overload of the right side of the heart which in turn lead to impairment of left ventricular (LV) performance.

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate immediate LV rotational deformation changes in children with large ASDs post-device closure and removal of right ventricle (RV) volume overload.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty children who underwent transcatheter closure (TCC) of large secundum ASDs were included in the study. LV rotational deformation was assessed pre- and 24 hours post-device closure using speckle tracking imaging (STI).

RESULTS

55% were females with mean age 6.1 ± 3.5 years. LV peak basal clockwise rotation improved significantly (-6.9 ± 2.6° before vs -10.3 ± 4.1° after TCC, P = .005), and time to peak clockwise rotation (345.1 ± 124.7 milliseconds (ms) before vs 282.2 ± 82.9 ms after closure, P = .02). There was no significant difference in apical rotational parameters including peak counterclockwise rotation (P > .05 for both). LV twist (11.3 ± 3.8° before vs 17.5 ± 7.1° after closure, P = .001) and torsion (2.1 ± 0.7°/cm before vs 3.1 ± 1.2°/cm after closure, P = .01) were significantly improved, mainly as the result of improvement of LV basal rotation. LV revealed a significant increase in LV end-diastolic volumes (P = .02) 24 hour after TCC with no significant change (P > .05) in end-systolic volumes after closure.

CONCLUSION

Increased peak LV twisting and torsion were attributed to the improved peak systolic clockwise basal rotation after TCC of large ASDs in children.

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect in symptomatic children weighing ≤10 kg: Addressing unanswered issues from a decade of experience

Background and Objectives

Device closure of secundum atrial septal defect is shown to be feasible and effective in children weighing ≤10 kg. Issues such as how large is too large, how to choose device size, does the length of the interatrial septum (IAS) matter, and need for technical modifications for successful device delivery have not been systematically addressed.

Materials and Methods

This is a retrospective study, comprising 45 patients weighing ≤10 kg, who were chosen for device closure between January 2010 and June 2018. Patient selection was done on basis of transthoracic echocardiography. Device closure was done using Amplatzer septal occluder. The device size was selected primarily based on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-measured defect diameter. Although IAS length was taken into consideration, adequate rim size was the key factor in deciding device closure of the defect.

Results

Forty-three out of 45 patients had successful device closure. The mean age and weight were 25.71 ± 8.62 months and 8.99 ± 1.24 kg, respectively. The defect measuring as large as 27 mm (14.89 ± 3.89) on TEE was closed and device as big as 28 mm was successfully deployed (16.7 ± 4.31). Regular technique of device deployment was successful in only 15 cases. In the remaining 28, one of the modified techniques was used. There was no mortality, failure of the procedure, device embolization, thromboembolism, or pericardial effusion. One patient developed moderate mitral regurgitation and two patients had transient atrioventricular block. At follow-up, all patients showed significant improvement in symptoms and growth without any complications.

Conclusions

Defect size as large as three times the weight in kg can be closed in small children. Devices as large as 28 mm can be deployed in these hearts provided the surrounding rims are adequate. In majority of cases, one of the modified techniques is essential for successful deployment. IAS length is not a limiting factor for deciding the size of the device used.

Transcatheter closure of large atrial septal defects using 40 mm amplatzer septal occluder: Single group experience with short and intermediate term follow-up

OBJECTIVES

To assess feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the use of 40 mm Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO 40) for the closure of large atrial septal defects (ASD).

BACKGROUND

There is very little data available on closure of large ASDs with ASO 40.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Case records of patients who underwent ASD closure with ASO 40 between 2002 and 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had clinical, transthoracic, and transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) evaluation prior to device closure. Postclosure follow-up was done at 6 weeks, 6 months, and annually thereafter.

RESULTS

87 patients underwent ASD closure using ASO 40 during the study period. Mean age and weight of the group was 32.4 ± 11.6 years and 59.5 ± 11.3 kg respectively. Mean ASD diameter on TEE was 32 ± 2.8 mm. The balloon stretched diameter (N = 40) was 37.8 ± 1.3 mm. The balloon assisted technique was used in 80/87 patients for device deployment. The procedure was successful in 84/87 patients. Follow-up was available in 77 patients over a period of 44 ± 15.7 months. 3/77 patients had a small residual shunt. The severity of tricuspid regurgitation decreased in 40/77 patients. The pulmonary artery systolic pressure decreased from 49.7 ± 9.2 to 41.2 ± 6.2 mm Hg (N = 61; P < 0.05). The right ventricular diameter decreased from 35.1 ± 2.8 to 26.1 ± 3 mm (N = 77; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

ASO 40 can be used safely and effectively with promising short and intermediate term results.© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Transcatheter Closure of Large Atrial Septal Defects

Background—

Data are needed on the safety and efficacy of device closure of large atrial septal defects.

Methods and Results—

Between 1998 and 2013, 336 patients (161 children <15 years) with large, isolated, secundum atrial septal defects (balloon-stretched diameter ≥34 mm in adults or echocardiographic diameter >15 mm/m 2 in children) were managed using the Amplatzer device, at the Marie Lannelongue Hospital. Transthoracic echocardiographic guidance was used starting in 2005 (n=219; 65.2%). Balloon-stretched diameter was >40 mm in 36 adults; mean values were 37.6±3.3 mm in other adults and 26.3±6.3 mm/m 2 in children. Amplatzer closure was successful in 311 (92.6%; 95% confidence interval, 89%–95%) patients. Superior and posterior rim deficiencies were more common in failed than in successful procedures (superior, 24.0% versus 4.8%; P =0.002; and posterior, 32.0% versus 4.2%; P <0.001). Device migration occurred in 4 adults (2 cases each of surgical and transcatheter retrieval); in the 21 remaining failures, the device was unreleased and withdrawn. After a median follow-up of 10.0 years (2.5–17 years), all patients were alive with no history of late complications.

Conclusions—

Closure of large atrial septal defects using the Amplatzer device is safe and effective in both adults and children. Superior and posterior rim deficiencies are associated with procedural failure. Closure can be performed under transthoracic echocardiographic guidance in experienced centers. Early device migration is rare and can be safely managed by device extraction. Long-term follow-up showed no deaths or major late complications in our population of 311 patients.