Secundum Type Atrial Septal Defect in Patients with Trisomy 21-Therapeutic Strategies, Outcome, and Survival: A Nationwide Study of the German National Registry for Congenital Heart Defects

Long-Term Survival of Adult Patients With Atrial Septal Defect With Regards to Defect Closure and Pulmonary Hypertension

Background

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is the most common congenital heart disease (CHD) in adults and pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an established risk factor. A decision whether to perform ASD closure, especially in elderly patients with PH, is a complex dilemma. The aim of our study was to compare long-term survival in patients with closed and open ASD.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed on 427 patients with ASD (median age at diagnosis 38 years, IQR 18-56) out of which 186 patients (44%) manifested PH. ASD closure in patients with PH was only considered in patients without Eisenmenger syndrome with pulmonary vascular resistance < 5 WU. Median follow-up duration was 18 years (IQR 9-31 years). Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards survival analyses were performed to evaluate 12 potential predictors of survival.

Results

Defect closure was associated with improved long-term survival in ASD patients both with (P < 0.001) and without PH (P = 0.01) and this association was present also in patients over 40 years. The 20-year survival since diagnosis was significantly higher in patients with PH and closed ASD compared to those with PH and open ASD (65% vs. 41%). ASD closure was a significant independent predictor of long-term survival (P = 0.003) after accounting for age at diagnosis, PH, NYHA class, Eisenmenger syndrome, and mitral regurgitation. Significant negative independent predictors of survival were older age at diagnosis (P < 0.001), Eisenmenger syndrome (P < 0.001), and PH (P = 0.03).

Conclusion

ASD closure appears to be associated with improved long-term survival independently of age, PH, and other clinical variables.