Preprocedural Transthoracic Echocardiography Can Predict Amplatzer Septal Occluder Device Size for Transcatheter Atrial Septal Defect Closure

Efficacy and Safety of Transthoracic Versus Transesophageal Echocardiography for Monitoring Closure of Atrial or Ventricular Septal Defects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

For the repair of atrial/ventricular septal defects (ASD/VSD), transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is easy to perform, cost-effective, and does not require general anesthesia and intubation. Still, TTE is not universally accepted. To compare efficacy and safety of TTE versus transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to guide percutaneous ASD/VSD closure.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library were searched for articles published from their inception to December 2023. The primary outcome was the procedural success rate. The secondary outcomes were residual shunt, late complications, procedure time, and fluoroscopy time. All meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Eight studies and 1295 patients were included. There were no significant differences between TTE and TEE regarding the procedural success rate (OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 0.90-4.13, p = 0.092; I2 = 52.2%, Pheterogeneity = 0.063) and residual shunt rate (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.38-1.76, p = 0.600; I2 = 0%, Pheterogeneity = 0.518). Compared with TEE, TTE reduced the frequency of late complications (OR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.14-0.43, p < 0.001; I2 = 13.8%, Pheterogeneity = 0.326), reduced the procedure time (WMD = -8.92, 95% CI: -12.08, -5.75, p < 0.001; I2 = 87.4%, Pheterogeneity < 0.001), and reduced the fluoroscopy time (WMD = -5.08, 95% CI: -9.59, -0.56, p = 0.028; I2 = 95.6%, Pheterogeneity < 0.001). The sensitivity analyses showed that the results of the meta-analyses were robust.

CONCLUSION

Compared with TEE, TTE showed no differences regarding the rates of success and residual shunt, but there were lower rates of late complications and shorter procedure and fluoroscopy times.

Transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defects guided completely by transthoracic echocardiography: A single cardiac center experience with 152 cases

Objective:

This study aimed to assess the safety and feasibility of transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) guided completely by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).

Methods:

A total of 152 patients underwent transcatheter device closure of ASDs guided completely by TTE in our center from September 2014 to June 2017. We used routine delivery sheaths during the procedure and then closed the ASDs by releasing a domestic occluder.

Results:

The closure was successful in 150 patients, and surgical repair was required in two patients. The size of the deployed occluder ranged from 10 mm to 38 mm (21.4±8.5 mm), and the procedure duration ranged from 30 to 90 min (38.2±21.4 min). No fatal complications were observed. Minor complications included transient arrhythmias (n=12) during the process of device deployment. The follow-up period was 3 months to 2 years, with no occluder dislodgment, residual fistula, or thrombus-related complications. In our comparative studies, no statistically significant differences were observed in success rates and complications.

Conclusion:

Transcatheter device closure of ASDs guided completely by TTE may be safe and effective and can be an alternative to traditional methods.

Spectrum of morphological abnormalities and treatment outcomes in ostium secundum type of atrial septal defects: Single center experience in >500 cases

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter closure (TCC) has emerged as the first line treatment option for secundum type of atrial septal defects (ASD). Outcomes of TCC depend upon proper delineation of defect anatomy by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Stability and proper placement of the device mandates adequate rims and proper alignment to the septum. Failed or unfavorable morphology for TCC requires referral for surgical repair.

METHODS

We prospectively analyzed the ASD patients who were referred for treatment. The morphological features of the defect were evaluated and the outcomes of TCC studied. Patients who undergo TCC and surgical repair were followed for immediate and long-term outcome comparison.

RESULTS

Of the 512 patients who underwent treatment, TCC was attempted in 430/512 (83.2%) patients. It was successful in 393/430 (91.3%) patients. The remaining 119 patients underwent surgical patch closure. Twenty patients had failure of device alignment and device embolization occurred in 17 patients. Very large defect size ≥35 mm, absent or deficient posterior rim, absent/deficient inferior naval rim showed high chances for failure and formed major reasons for surgical referral. The surgical group had higher success (100%) across all anatomic variables. However, they had longer intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

TCC offered a success rate of 91% in complex defects after TEE selection. Very large size and deficient inferior, posterior rims predicted failure of TCC. Surgery offered 100% success and it involved a longer hospital and ICU stay. The long-term clinical results were identical with both treatment modalities.

Impact of modified techniques of transcatheter closure in large atrial septal defects (⩾30 mm) with anatomic complexities

OBJECTIVE

The outcome of transcatheter closure in ostium secundum atrial septal defects is determined by the morphology of the defects. Modified techniques such as balloon assistance, pulmonary vein deployment, left atrial roof technique, and so on are used for circumventing the anatomic complexities and increasing the success rates.

METHODS

We planned a prospective study looking at the outcomes of transcatheter closure in secundum atrial septal defects with modified techniques in different anatomic complexities identified in transoesophageal echocardiography and their association with outcome of transcatheter closure.

RESULTS

Transcatheter closure was successful in 295 out of 346 (82%) patients with modified techniques. Balloon-assisted technique offered a success rate of 87%. The mean defect size was 34.7±2.78 mm (95% confidence interval (CI) 30.67-43.1 mm) with success and 40.16±4.5 mm (95% CI 32.16-44.7) with failure (p = 0.02). The mean total septal length was 38.11±0.63 (95% CI 35.21-40.56 mm) with success and 42.54±0.34 (95% CI 38.79-43.21 mm) with failure. The defect to septal ratios were 0.82 and 0.94 in success and failure groups, respectively (p=0.02). However, the absence of a retro-aortic margin, septal aneurysm, and multiple defects did not affect the success rate. Deficient inferior vena caval margin, deficient posterior margin, and size⩾40 mm had a high risk of failure with transcatheter closure. The odds ratio for procedural failure was 25.3 (4.3-143.8) in patients with malaligned septum, 8.3(1.4-48.5) with deficient inferior vena caval margin, and 4.1(2.5-19) for size⩾40 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

The modified techniques for device deployment offer substantial chances of success in transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defects with anatomical complexity (82%). Variants such as defect size of⩾40 mm and deficient inferior and posterior margins have high failure rates with a modified technique.

Feasibility of percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects in adults under transthoracic echocardiography guidance using the Figulla atrial septal defect occluder device

Background

Closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) among adults under transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) guidance using devices other than the Amplatzer Septal Occluder has not been extensively tested.

Aim of work

Assessment of the safety and efficiency of secundum ASD closure using the Occlutech Figulla ASD Occluder under TTE guidance in adult patients with hemodynamically significant secundum ASD.

Methods

Twenty patients (mean age, 32.9 ± 9.7, 75% of them females) were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent TTE and transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to assess the characteristics of the ASD prior to percutaneous closure. Procedures were performed using the Figulla Occluder device under both fluoroscopic and TTE guidance. Follow-up clinical and TTE examinations were done at 1, 3, and 6 months following the procedure.

Results

TTE estimated mean ASD size was 21.7 ± 7.3 mm with adequate rims except for the aortic rim (deficient in one third of cases). Mean device size was 28.1 ± 8.6 mm with mean procedure and fluoroscopic times of 46.2 ± 16.4 and 15.7 ± 5.4 minutes respectively. ASD was successfully closed in all patients. Two patients showed a small residual shunt immediately after the device placement that disappeared by the end of the 2nd followup TTE examination. Transient complications were detected in 2 patients. All patients were asymptomatic during the follow-up period.

Conclusion

Transcatheter closure of secundum ASD in adults under TTE guidance using the Occlutech Figulla ASD occluder device is safe and effective when performed in a tertiary center and by expert echocardiographers and interventional cardiologists.