Trans-catheter closure of atrial septal defect: Balloon sizing or no Balloon sizing - single centre experience

Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography measurements of ASD sizing parameters in comparison to balloon sizing method in percutaneous ASD closure

BACKGROUND

Balloon sizing (BS) has been used for device size selection in percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. Due to its limitations, alternative imaging techniques like three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) are valuable for guiding ASD device size selection during ASD closure procedures. The purpose of this study was to compare ASD sizing using measurements obtained from 3D-TEE to those utilizing the standard balloon sizing method.

METHODS

We identified 53 patients with single secundum type ASD without PFO who underwent percutaneous closure at the Tehran Heart Center between 2019 and 2022. Balloon sizing was performed in all patients with the stop-flow technique, and the choice of device size was determined based on the sizing derived from BS. 3D-TEE imaging was performed before the intervention, and the ASD shape and quality of ASD rims were assessed.

RESULTS

Among the 53 patients who underwent single ASD device closure, multiple 3D TEE measurements significantly correlated with balloon sizing results. This included defect area, perimeter, and diameter obtained from 3D-TEE images multi-planar reconstruction. ASD perimeter detected by 3D TEE had the best correlation with BS results. When divided by the shape of ASD, there was no significant difference between our 3D-images data and BS in round or oval-shaped ASDs.

CONCLUSION

The 3D-TEE study is reliable for assessing ASD configurational characteristics in percutaneous device closure candidates. 3D-TEE has the potential to accurately determine the appropriate device size and reduce complications, costs, and procedural duration. Further research is needed to validate these findings and establish the role of 3D-TEE measurements in guiding the best treatment decisions for ASD closure.

Can Artificial Intelligence Revolutionize the Diagnosis and Management of the Atrial Septal Defect in Children?

Atrial septal defects (ASDs) present a significant healthcare challenge, demanding accurate and timely diagnosis and precise management to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Artificial intelligence (AI) applications in healthcare are rapidly evolving, offering promise for enhanced medical decision-making and patient care. In the context of cardiology, the integration of AI promises to provide more efficient and accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies for ASD patients. In interventional cardiology, sometimes the lack of precise measurement of the cardiac rims evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography combined with the floppy aspect of the rims can mislead and result in complications. AI software can be created to generate responses for difficult tasks, like which device is the most suitable for different shapes and dimensions to prevent embolization or erosion. This paper reviews the current state of AI in healthcare and its applications in cardiology, emphasizing the specific opportunities and challenges in applying AI to ASD diagnosis and management. By exploring the capabilities and limitations of AI in ASD diagnosis and management. This paper highlights the evolution of medical practice towards a more AI-augmented future, demonstrating the capacity of AI to unlock new possibilities for healthcare professionals and patients alike.

Utility of 3D Echocardiography for Device Sizing During Transcatheter ASD Closure: A Comparative Study

BACKGROUND

Two-dimensional (2D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is commonly used for assessing patients undergoing transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) device closure. 3D TEE, albeit providing high resolution en-face images of ASD, is used in only a fraction of cases. We aimed to perform a comparative analysis between 3D and 2D TEE assessment for ASD device planning.

METHODS

This was a prospective, observational study conducted over a period of one year. Patients deemed suitable for device closure underwent 2D and 3D TEE at baseline. Defect characteristics, assessed separately in both modalities, were compared. Using regression analysis, we aimed to derive an equation for predicting device size using 3D TEE parameters.

RESULTS

Thirty patients were included in the study, majority being females (83%). The mean age of the study population was 40.5 ± 12.05 years. Chest pain, dyspnea and palpitations were the common presenting complaints. All patients had suitable rims on 2D TEE. A good agreement was noted between 2D and 3D TEE for measured ASD diameters. 3D TEE showed that majority of defects were circular in shape (60%). The final device size used had high degree of correlation with 3D defect area and circumference. An equation was devised to predict device size using 3D defect area and circumference. The mean device size obtained from the equation was similar to the actual device size used in the study population (p = 0.31).

CONCLUSIONS

Device sizing based on 3D TEE parameters alone is equally effective for transcatheter ASD closure as compared to 2D TEE.

Complete Transthoracic Echocardiography for the Assessment and Guidance of Percutaneous Atrial Septal Defect Closure in Adults without Balloon Sizing: An Observed Study with a 10-Year Follow-Up

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to determine if complete transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)-guided percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) closure without balloon sizing could be safe and efficacious in adult patients.

METHODS

A total of 551 patients with ASDs were enrolled in this study, of which 438 patients underwent percutaneous ASD closure. Patients who received TTE-guided percutaneous ASD closure were classified into group T, and those who underwent a procedure that was guided by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were classified into group E. The clinical characteristics and the outcomes of the patients were analyzed.

RESULTS

The characteristics were comparable at baseline, except for the body mass index (BMI) (21.6 ± 5.3 vs. 23.8 ± 7.1, p < 0.001) between group T and group E. No significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding in-hospital outcomes, except for the duration of the procedure (29.8 ± 15.3 min vs. 41.5 ± 20.4 min), the length of stay in the hospital (2.1 ± 2.3 d vs. 2.9 ± 2.6 d), and hospital costs (USD 6233.3 ± 312.4 vs. USD 6673.7 ± 446.9). There were no significant differences in the incidences of long-term complications, cardiac chamber sizes, and tricuspid regurgitation severity between the patients in the two groups during the 10-year follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

TTE may be as safe and efficacious as TEE for the assessment and guidance of percutaneous ASD closure without balloon sizing in adult patients with lower BMIs who are commonly found in East Asia.

FAST technique: fast atrial sheath traction technique for device closure of atrial septal defects

Background

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) is well-established. However, this procedure can be challenging, requiring multiple attempts and advanced implantation maneuvers.

Materials and methods

From July 2019 to July 2022, patients to whom the fast atrial sheath traction (FAST) technique was applied for ASD device closure were prospectively followed up. The device was rapidly unsheathed in the middle of the left atrium (LA) to let it clamp the ASD from both sides simultaneously. This novel technique was directly applied in patients with absent aortic rims and/or ASD size-to-body weight ratio higher than 0.9 or after failed attempts of standard implantation.

Results

Seventeen patients (64.7% males) were involved with a median age of 9.8 years [interquartile range (IQR), 7.6-15.1] and a median weight of 34 kg (IQR, 22-44). The median ASD size on ultrasound was 19 mm (IQR, 16-22). Five (29.4%) patients had absent aortic rims, and three (17.6%) patients had an ASD size-to-body weight ratio higher than 0.9. The median device size was 22 mm (IQR, 17-24). The median difference between device size and ASD two-dimensional static diameter was 3 mm (IQR, 1-3). All interventions were straightforward without any complications using three different occluder devices. One device was removed before release and upsized to the next size. The median fluoroscopy time was 4.1 min (IQR, 3.6-4.6). All patients were discharged the next postoperative day. On a median follow-up of 13 months (IQR, 8-13), no complications were detected. All patients achieved full clinical recovery with complete shunt closure.

Conclusion

We present a new implantation technique to efficiently close simple and complex ASDs. The FAST technique can be of benefit in overcoming left disc malalignment to the septum in defects with absent aortic rims and in avoiding complex implantation maneuvers and the risks of injuring the pulmonary veins.

Assessment of atrial septal defects using 3-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography prior to percutaneous device closure: first report from Bangladesh

BACKGROUND

Secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) is treated following trans-catheter closure in alternative to surgical treatment. Per-intervention selection of device size with balloon occlusive diameter (BOD) often cause tearing or enlarging, causing arrhythmias and hypotension. We assessed the suitability of percutaneous device closure for ASD using 3-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3DTTE).

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to investigate if 3DTTE could be an alternative of balloon sizing for selection of device size in atrial septal defect device closure.

DESIGN

It was a cross-sectional comparative study.

METHODS

This study was conducted at the department of Pediatric Cardiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University for a period of 2 years. Thirty-three purposively selected secundum ASD patients suitable for device closure were included in the study. Ethical permission was taken from the Institutional Review Board and written consent was taken from each patient's guardian. In this study, 3DTTE derived ASD diameter and BOD were compared with that of deployed device size using correlation analysis.

RESULTS

Out of 33 patients, 63.6% were female and 36.4% were males had a mean age of 18.07 ± 14.58 years (range 2-55 years). Mean diameter of ASD measured by 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) echocardiography were 17.09 ± 6.08 mm and 21.30 ± 6.56 mm, respectively, yielding a significant difference (p < 0.001). 3D echocardiography derived ASDs diameter were highly correlated with device size than BOD and 2D echocardiography derived diameter (2D echocardiography: r = 0.796, p = <0.001, 3D echocardiography: r = 0.960, p = <0.001, BOD: r = 0.840, p = <0.001).

CONCLUSION

3DTTE can accurately measure ASD diameter and can be used as an alternate, effective, and safe method to select device size.

Limitations of Percutaneous Closure of a Complex Secundum Atrial Septal Defect

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Percutaneous closure of ASDs can be limited by size or shape of the defect.

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A 3D evaluation of ASDs is essential for proper sizing and procedural planning.

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Balloon sizing may help for large or irregularly shaped ASDs.

Phase contrast cardiac magnetic resonance imaging versus transoesophageal echocardiography for the evaluation of feasibility for transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects

Background

This prospective study was aimed at comparing phase contrast cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (PC-CMR) with 2D transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for determining potential candidature for transcatheter closure in ostium secundum ASD (OS-ASD) patients. We included consecutive adult patients with OS-ASD for the evaluation of feasibility for transcatheter closure using 2D-TEE and PC-CMR over a period of 2 years. Patients who fulfilled the conventional criteria for transcatheter closure, i.e. maximum ASD diameter ≤ 34 mm, adequate rims (≥ 5 mm, except for anterosuperior rim), and normal pulmonary venous drainage on both imaging modalities, were taken for device closure. In patients where there was discrepancy in the measurements of ASD diameter or rim size, making them eligible for device closure on one imaging modality and ineligible on the other hand, provisional device closure was attempted. All patients who underwent transcatheter closure were followed up to 6 months to rule out any complications.

Results

A total of 58 patients (mean age 35.93 ± 10.59 years) were enrolled in the study. Overall, there was significant positive correlation between 2D-TEE and CMR measurements of maximal ASD diameter and rim size (p < 0.001). However, TEE significantly underestimated maximal ASD diameter and posteroinferior rim size in comparison with CMR (p = 0.013 and p = 0.023, respectively). 46 (79.3%) patients were suitable for transcatheter closure on CMR, while 44 (75.9%) were eligible on TEE. Transcatheter closure was attempted in 48 patients based on imaging findings and was successful in 46 (95.8%) patients. Device closure was unsuccessful in 2 patients with defect size < 34 mm on TEE but > 34 mm on CMR. Among 7 patients with deficient posteroinferior rim on TEE, 5 had sufficient rim on CMR and underwent successful transcatheter closure. CMR detected anomalous pulmonary venous drainage in one patient which was missed on TEE, hence excluding the patient from transcatheter closure. Mean device size was 28.3 ± 7.4 mm and correlated more strongly with the defect dimensions on PC-CMR (r = 0.85, p < 0.001) compared to TEE (r = 0.71, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

PC-CMR may to be superior to 2D-TEE for the preprocedural planning and feasibility assessment for transcatheter closure in adult patients with ostium secundum ASD.

Appropriate device selection for transcatheter atrial septal defect closure using three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography

Detail morphological evaluation for ASD is essential to achieve successful transcatheter closure. Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) is emerging, but few studies have comprehensively verified the usefulness of 3D-TEE. We divided 329 patients who underwent transcatheter ASD closure at our university hospital into 157 in the Conventional group evaluated with 2-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography and balloon sizing (BS), and 172 in the 3D-TEE group evaluated with 3D-TEE additionally. We assessed usefulness of 3D-TEE and consider appropriate device selection procedure. Overall, the percentage with re-sizing of device tended to be lower in the 3D-TEE group than in the Conventional group (10.1% vs 6.0%, p = 0.187). Among preprocedural modalities, the device size was mainly decided based on the BS diameter. A logistic regression analysis demonstrated that large atrial septum aneurysms (ASA) were associated with a ≥ 2 mm discrepancy of the BS diameter from the preprocedural 3D-TEE diameter (p < 0.05). Compared to the Amplatzer Septal Occluder, the differences in device size and the preprocedural ASD measurement were greater when using the Occlutech Figulla Flex II Occluder (FFII). Particularly, among the patients implanted with FFIIs, the discrepancies of the device size from the 3D-TEE measurement were greater in patients with large ASA than those with small ASA. Preprocedural 3D-TEE is useful to select the appropriate device size. Particularly, it is necessary to select a much larger device than that derived from the preprocedural 3D-TEE measurement when using FFII in patients with a septal aneurysm.

Efficacy of 3D transoesophageal echocardiography for transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defect without balloon sizing

Aims

Using balloon sizing to determine device size may cause complications and increase procedure time in performing transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD). We aimed to validate the clinical utility of a formula using measurements from 3D transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) images in performing the procedure without balloon sizing.

Methods and results

We enrolled 248 consecutive patients with ASD in a prospective registry. In the first tier (n = 53), we determined the device size before the procedure using our formula and performed balloon sizing during the procedure to verify our decision. In the second tier (n = 195), the procedure was performed without balloon sizing. In the first tier, the estimated device size correlated well with the device size finally implanted (R = 0.961, P < 0.001; bias, 0.38 ± 1.5 mm, P < 0.001) and with the stretched balloon diameter (R = 0.929, P < 0.001; bias, 0.13 ± 2.0 mm, P < 0.001). In the second tier, the device size derived from the formula was used in all patients, with the exception of one patient who showed a deficient rim on the aorta and superior sides and ASD that was not on a single plane. Two patients with unfavourable morphologies for device implantation experienced embolization of the device. Of the 193 patients with procedural success (99.0%), 2 suffered from haemopericardium caused by atrial wall erosion by the device. There were no procedure-related deaths.

Conclusion

The transcatheter closure of ASD using the 3D TOE-derived formula without balloon sizing is clinically feasible and safe. However, caution should be taken to exclude unfavourable features of ASD (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT 02097758).

Simplified percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale and atrial septal defect with use of plain fluoroscopy: Single operator experience in 110 consecutive patients

Objective

Percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) and atrial septal defect (ASD) is routinely performed under general anesthesia or deep sedation and use of transesophageal (TEE) or intracardiac echocardiography, incurring longer duration and higher cost. We have used a simplified, economical, fluoroscopy-only guided approach with local anesthesia, and herein report our data.

Methods

The study includes 112 procedures in 110 patients with PFO (n = 75) or ASD (n = 35), with use of an Amplatzer occluder, heparin and prophylactic antibiotics. Balloon sizing guided ASD-device selection. All patients received aspirin and clopidogrel for 6 months, when they all underwent TEE.

Results

All PFOs but one (98.7%) and all (100%) ASDs were successfully closed with only one complication (local pseudoaneurysm). At the 6-month TEE, there was no residual shunt in PFO patients, but 2 ASD patients had residual shunts. During long-term (4.3-year) follow-up, no stroke recurrence in PFO patients, and no other problems were encountered. Among 54 patients suffering from migraine, symptom relief or resolution was reported by 45 (83.3%) patients.

Conclusion

Percutaneous placement of an Amplatzer occluder was safe and effective with use of local anesthesia and fluoroscopy alone. There were no recurrent strokes over >4 years. Migraine relief was reported by >80% of patients.

How to Size ASDs for Percutaneous Closure

Percutaneous closure is the treatment of choice for secundum-type atrial septal defects (ASD). Balloon sizing (BS) has been the method of choice for deciding on device size. Improved 2D- and 3D-transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) imaging challenged the necessity of BS. Balloon sizing was performed with two additional techniques to measure the stretched dimension of the ASD. The 1st method uses a stiff guide wire which stretches the ASD and 2D TEE. The second technique uses 3D TEE. Two hundred and thirty-six patients with minimum 1-year follow-up were enrolled. The population was classified into three groups: BS (group 1) n = 90, 2D-TEE (group 2) n = 87, and 3D-TEE (group 3) n = 59. All groups showed a distinct correlation between the maximum baseline dimensions and the device size (R = 0.821). The relative expansion rate did not differ between BS and 3D-TEE. Group 2 (2D-TEE) showed a significantly lower expansion rate. Procedural success and complications did not differ statistically between the 3 groups. 2D TEE sizing was the simplest method without loss of accuracy. 3D sizing offers the advantage of accurate and fast shape assessment, but resulted in more undersizing. Accurate sizing of ASDs with a floppy septum remains a challenge.

Incidence and predictors of asymptomatic pericardial effusion after transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect

AIMS

Pericardial effusion (PE) without obvious periprocedural complications (e.g., cardiac perforation, device erosion) may occur after transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defects (ASD). The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence and predictors of PE unrelated to procedural complications.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We included all patients who had undergone successful percutaneous ASD closure from June 2009 to April 2014 (n=2,652) with no pre-existing PE or cardiac perforation or erosion. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed during the procedure and one, three, and six months postoperatively. After device implantation, fifty patients (1.9%) developed new-onset PE (37 immediately, 13 during follow-up). These patients were asymptomatic, stable haemodynamically, and had no new arrhythmias. PE appeared mild (5.1±1.9 mm) and homogeneously echolucent by TTE. PE diminished spontaneously. Compared with 2,602 patients without PE, factors independently predicting asymptomatic PE were the device touching the atrial free wall, device size, patient age, and total defect size. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.78 (p<0.001), 0.66 (p<0.001) and 0.77 (p<0.001) for device size, patient age, and total defect size, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first systematic report of a new type of PE. Our data provide new insights into new-onset PE after percutaneous ASD closure.

Comprehensive understanding of atrial septal defects by imaging studies for successful transcatheter closure

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects has become a popular procedure. The availability of a preprocedural imaging study is crucial for a safe and successful closure. Both the anatomy and morphology of the defect should be precisely evaluated before the procedure. Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography are helpful for understanding the morphology of a defect, which is important because different defect morphologies could variously impact the results. During the procedure, real-time 3D echocardiography can be used to guide an accurate closure. The safety and efficiency of transcatheter closures of atrial septal defects could be improved through the use of detailed imaging studies.

Transesophageal echocardiography as the sole guidance for occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus using a canine ductal occluder in dogs

Background

Transcatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is usually performed by fluoroscopy alone or together with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) guidance has been used for deployment of Amplatz Canine Ductal Occluder (ACDO), but sometimes is limited by suboptimal acoustic windows. Transesophageal echocardiography can overcome such issues and provides higher image resolution at the level of the great vessels.

Objectives

To determine if TEE without fluoroscopy could be used to successfully perform ductal occlusion for the treatment of PDA in dogs.

Animals

Twenty client‐owned dogs with PDA.

Methods

A prospective consecutive case series of PDA occlusion was performed using only TEE guidance. Dogs were positioned in right lateral recumbency and the TEE probe was positioned to visualize the descending aorta, PDA, and pulmonary artery. The guide wire, long introducer sheath, and ACDO were imaged by TEE to direct deployment.

Results

Ductal occlusion was performed successfully without need for fluoroscopy and without complications in 19 dogs. One dog required a second larger ACDO because of embolization of the first device 18 hours after positioning.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

We have demonstrated that TEE monitoring without concurrent fluoroscopy can guide each step of transcatheter ACDO embolization thereby providing an alternate method of visualization for this procedure. Use of TEE alone can reduce radiation exposure or is an option when fluoroscopy is not available, and, therefore, should be evaluated in a larger case series to better assess procedural failure rates.

Application of the defect area in transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect

OBJECTIVES

It was our aim to evaluate whether the defect area plays a crucial role in successful device closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs).

METHODS

The long and short diameters of the defect were measured on en-face images. The defect area was then measured by planimetry. The device size compared to the defect length and defect area was analyzed in each group.

RESULTS

There were 22 patients in the circular group and 45 patients in the noncircular group. The defect area did not differ between the groups (201.6 ± 107.1 vs. 245.6 ± 127.6 mm(2)). Although the length between the device size and the long diameter differed between the groups (3.4 ± 2.0 vs. 0.8 ± 3.7 mm; p = 0.003), there was no difference in the ratio of the device area compared to the defect area, which was constant even in the noncircular defect (1.73 ± 0.41 vs. 1.72 ± 0.53 mm(2); p = 0.947). The device size was positively correlated with the defect area (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The defect area measured by planimetry on en-face images might be useful in selecting the device size for transcatheter closure of ASDs.

Outcome of transcatheter closure of oval shaped atrial septal defect with amplatzer septal occluder

PURPOSE

For the successful completion of transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects with the Amplatzer septal occluder, shape of the defects should be considered prior to selecting the device. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of a transcatheter closure of oval shaped atrial septal defect.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From November 2009 until November 2011, cardiac computed tomography was performed on 69 patients who needed a transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect. We defined an oval shaped atrial septal defect as the ratio of the shortest diameter to the longest diameter ≤ 0.75 measured using computed tomography. A trans-thoracic echocardiogram was performed one day after and six months after.

RESULTS

The transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect was performed successfully in 24 patients in the ovoid group and 45 patients in the circular group. There were no serious complications in both groups and the complete closure rate at 6 months later was 92.3% in the ovoid group and 93.1% in the circular group (p>0.05). The differences between the device size to the longest diameter of the defect and the ratios of the device size to the longest diameter were significantly smaller in the ovoid group (1.8 ± 2.8 vs. 3.7 ± 2.6 and 1.1 ± 0.1 vs. 1.2 ± 0.2).

CONCLUSION

Transcatheter closure of an oval shaped atrial septal defect was found to be safe with the smaller Amplatzer septal occluder device when compared with circular atrial septal defects.

Device size for transcatheter closure of ovoid interatrial septal defect

BACKGROUND

For successful transcatheter closure of an atrial septal defect with the Amplatzer septal occluder, the shape of the defect should be considered before selecting the device size. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of transcatheter closure of an ovoid atrial septal defect.

METHODS

Between January 2010 and February 2012, cardiac computer tomography examinations were performed in 78 patients who subsequently underwent transcatheter closure of an atrial septal defect. In this retrospective study, we reviewed these patients' medical records. We defined an ovoid atrial septal defect as a value of 0.75 for the ratio of the shortest diameter of the defect to the longest diameter, as measured in a computed tomography image. Transthoracic echocardiography examinations were made at 1 day and 6 months after the procedure.

RESULTS

Transcatheter closure of an atrial septal defect was successful in 26 patients in the ovoid-defect group and in 52 patients in the round-defect group. There were no serious complications in either group, and the rate of complete closure at 6 months was 92.3% in the ovoid-defect group and 93.1% in the round-defect group (P > .05). The mean (SD) difference between the device size and the defect's longest diameter, and the mean ratio of the device size to the longest diameter were significantly smaller in the ovoid-defect group (1.7 ± 2.9 versus 3.8 ± 2.5 and 1.1 ± 0.1 versus 1.3 ± 0.2, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Transcatheter closure of an atrial septal defect is indicated even for an ovoid atrial septal defect. Ovoid atrial septal defects can be closed successfully with smaller sizes of the Amplatzer septal occluder than for round atrial septal defects.

Secundum atrial septal defect with interrupted inferior vena cava and azygos continuation: transfemoral closure in a 3-year old boy

A secundum atrial septal defect (ASD 2) was closed percutaneously via the transfemoral approach in a 3-year-old boy with interrupted inferior vena cava and azygos continuation. The procedure was guided by transesophageal echocardiography and fluoroscopy using conscious sedation. Successful transhepatic and jugular accesses in similar patients are described. This is the first pediatric report describing a transfemoral closure of a secundum atrial septum defect via azygos continuation.

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects in children, middle-aged adults, and older adults: failure rates, early complications; and balloon sizing effects

Objectives. To compare the failure ratio and inhospital complications across three age groups of patients and to investigate the effects of balloon sizing on the success and the device diameter. Methods. This retrospective review was of 665 patients who had been listed for transcatheter-based closure of ASD between 1999 and 2010. The patients were divided into three age groups: children (<18 years; n = 183), adults (18–50 years; n = 337), and older adults (>50 years; n = 145). Procedural outcomes and early complications were reviewed. Use of balloon sizing was explored for its benefits. Results. Overall, failure of closure was 6.6% (n = 44). Use of balloon sizing tended to lead to a smaller device/defect ratio that was comparable to procedures without balloon sizing, though it did not predict the success rate (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.7–2.3). Seven patients reported device embolization (1%). No mortalities were noted. In-hospital complications were 3.4%, with common complications, being vascular complications (1.4%) and cardiac arrhythmia (1.1%). No differences in failure rate or events were found among the three groups. Conclusion. Transcather closure of ASD is feasible and safe, regardless of the patient's age. A low rate of early complications was noted. Balloon sizing does not aggravate an oversizing of the device, but does not predict success.