Minimally invasive endoscopic surgery versus catheter-based device occlusion for atrial septal defects in adults: reconsideration of the standard of care

State-of-the-Art Atrial Septal Defect Closure Devices for Congenital Heart

This article describes current devices and indications for transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defect (TC-ASD) and patent foramen ovale in children and young adults. TC-ASD has a proven record of efficacy and safety, but device erosion raises questions about the relative safety of TC-ASD versus operative open heart surgical ASD closure. New devices for ASD closure with properties to reduce risk of erosion are being developed. Recent studies demonstrating superiority of patent foramen ovale device closure over medical therapy for cryptogenic stroke may lead to changes in practice for structural/interventional cardiologists. Care should be taken in extrapolating data to children and younger adults.

[Robot-assisted atrial septal defect closure in adults: first experience in Russia]

AIM

To analyze immediate results of minimally invasive robot-assisted atrial septal defect (ASD) closure in adults.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

For the period from March 2012 to November 2016 sixty patients with contraindications to endovascular procedure have undergone robot-assisted atrial septal defect closure at Meshalkin Siberian Federal Biomedical Research Center. Mean age was 34.5±11.3 years, body mass index - 24.6±4.0 kg/m². 48 (80%) patients had NYHA class II before surgery. In 37 (61.7%) patients isolated ASD with deficiency or absence of one edge was diagnosed, isolated ASD with primary septum aneurysm - in 16 (26.7%) cases, 7 (11.6%) patients had reticulate ASD. 5 (8.3%) patients had concomitant tricuspid valve insufficiency required surgical repair (suture annuloplasty). All operations were performed under cardiopulmonary bypass with peripheral cannulation. Right-sided anterolateral mini-thoracotomy was used in the first 43 patients. Following 17 patients underwent completely endoscopic procedure. Depending on the shape, size and anatomical features of the defect we performed suturing (14 patients, 23.3%) or repair with xenopericardial patch (46%, 76.6%).

RESULTS

Mean CPB and aortic cross-clamping time was 89.1±28.7 and 24.8±9.5 min, respectively. Postoperative variables: mechanical ventilation 3.3±1.5 hours, ICU-stay - 18.2±3.7 hours, postoperative hospital-stay - 13.4±5.7 days. There were no mortality and any life-threatening intra- and postoperative complications. Cases of conversion to thoraco-/sternotomy and postoperative bleeding followed by redo surgery were also absent. 23 patients were followed-up within 1 year, 6 patients - within 2 years, 3 patients - within 3 years. All patients were in NYHA class I-II with 100% freedom from ASD recanalization and redo surgery. According to echocardiography data there were decreased right heart, pulmonary artery pressure and preserved left ventricular function in early postoperative period and 1 year after surgery.

CONCLUSION

In view of favorable course of postoperative period, no significant specific complications and encouraging immediate results we can talk about endoscopic robot-assisted ASD closure in adults as a safe and effective alternative to surgical treatment.

Transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defects: more to think about than just closing the hole

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review current controversies in the transcatheter device closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defects (ASD).

RECENT FINDINGS

Transcatheter device closure of ASD (TC-ASD) has well established efficacy and safety. For most individual patients with suitable anatomy, TC-ASD is the preferred method for treating ASD. The availability of large multicenter data sets has made it possible to study practice patterns at a range of hospitals across the United States. These studies have revealed differences in practice that were not previously appreciated. Interpretation of the indications for TC-ASD, specifically the definition of right ventricular volume overload varies between hospitals. In response to concern about device erosion, an increasing proportion of patients are being referred for operative ASD closure. Over the last decade, the average age at which ASD closure occurs has decreased. These trends demonstrate previously underappreciated differences in opinion between cardiologists across the country and suggest that further research is necessary to address knowledge gaps limiting consistency of practice.

SUMMARY

As TC-ASD and congenital interventional cardiology mature as a field, studies of real-world practice provide increasingly valuable information about aspects of care in which there are disagreements about best practices and in which further research is necessary.