Closure of Interatrial Septal Communications: Adverse Events and Lessons Learned

Device closure of secundum atrial septal defect's and the risk of cardiac erosion

Cardiac erosion related to transcatheter atrial septal defect closure devices is of increasing concern. Erosion is reported to have occurred with most of currently available occluder devices. Perhaps due to the very large number of implants worldwide, the Amplatzer (St Jude) occluder is associated with the majority of cardiac erosion events reported in the literature. Best current estimates of the incidence of erosion with the St Jude device are between one and three cases per 1000 implants. Most events occur early after implantation and it is rare, although not unheard of, for events to occur after a year following device insertion. It is important that those involved with closure programmes are vigilant for the problem, because device-related erosion is associated with a significant mortality risk. Despite considerable debate, the risk factors (either patient or device) for erosion remain unclear and require further investigation. Currently available data sets have focussed largely on erosion cohorts and are unable to place these cases in appropriate context with non-erosion closure cases. What is certain is that programmes implanting these devices must take care to implant appropriately sized devices and have in place plans to ensure that patients are both well informed and can access help and advice in the event of developing symptoms.

Can Computer Tomography Predict Compromise of Cardiac Structures After Percutaneous Closure of Interatrial Septal Defects?

BACKGROUND

Erosion of a cardiac structure after device closure of an interatrial septal communication (IASC-C), although rare, is a major and severe adverse event which may be underreported. On the other hand, unexplained episodes of transient chest pain occur more often and may be quite distressing. We sought to define the parameters relating the devices to the adjacent cardiac structures and to determine whether computer tomography (CT) could predict erosion of atrial or aortic wall or precordial pain symptoms occurring in the first months after device implantation.

METHODS

Retrospective observational study of 20 patients who underwent CT for de novo chest pain occurring after IASC-C or as a diagnostic test for suspected or proven coronary artery disease (CAD). Clinical follow up was for 20.5 ± 17.6 (6-84) months. CT was done 18 ± 10 (2-28) weeks after IASC-C.

RESULTS

Indentation of the aortic root was found in 11 (55%) patients, the left atrial wall in 13 (65%) and the right atrial wall in eight (40%) of patients. Contact without indentation was found in nine (45%), 6 (30%) and 11 (55%) of patients respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Device indenting of the left and right atrial, as well as the aortic wall, occured in the majority of the patients examined after IASC-C. This finding may explain bouts of chest pain after the intervention in some patients, but does not predict clinically relevant erosion of a cardiac structure.