The Clinical Course of Patients With Atrial Septal Defects

Central Tetrapolydactyly With Atrial Septal Defect and Facial Nerve Palsy in a 15-Month-Old Female Child

Polydactyly, which is the presence of an extra appendage on the hand or the foot, is a common congenital anomaly encountered in children. It may be an isolated finding or found in conjunction with other congenital anomalies and syndromes. Polydactyly can occur in the hands or the feet. In the hand, it may occur as radial polydactyly (pre-axial polydactyly) or ulnar polydactyly (post-axial polydactyly (PAP)). Depending upon the side of occurrence, it may be medial, that is, toward the little finger (called ulnar polydactyly) or lateral, that is, toward the thumb (called radial polydactyly). On the feet, the extra digit can either be present on the side of the great toe (called tibial polydactyly) or on the side of the little toe (called fibular polydactyly). In both the upper and the lower limbs, affection of the central three digits is called central polydactyly. Central tetrapolydactyly, which is the presence of an extra appendage on all four limbs, is much more rarely encountered. This case report describes a 15-month-old female child who presented with findings of six digits on all four limbs and deviation of the left angle of mouth since birth. Her echocardiography showed a large atrial septal defect measuring 7 mm, with a left-to-right shunt. This is the first such case reported from all over the world from a tertiary care hospital with the aforementioned findings. Polydactyly, a very common congenital anomaly, should not be ignored in pediatric settings. It is important to diagnose associated features such as congenital heart diseases (CHDs), genitourinary abnormalities, and orofacial abnormalities to facilitate timely surgical correction and help improve the quality of life of those affected.

Navigating the Complexities: Addressing the Challenges of Aneurysmal Atrial Septal Defects

Aneurysmal atrial septal defects (ASDs) represent a rare subset of congenital cardiac anomalies, characterized by bulging of the interatrial septum. This condition poses unique challenges in diagnosis, management, and outcomes due to its variable clinical presentation and associated complications. While echocardiography remains the cornerstone of diagnosis, advanced imaging modalities such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) may provide additional insights. Optimal management strategies for aneurysmal ASDs require careful consideration of patient-specific factors, including the size and location of the defect, associated cardiovascular abnormalities, and the presence of pulmonary hypertension. Surgical repair, whether through conventional open-heart techniques or transcatheter interventions, remains the primary treatment modality; however, the approach may vary based on individual patient characteristics. Anesthetic considerations, including hemodynamic monitoring and perioperative care, are crucial in optimizing outcomes and reducing the risk of complications during surgical interventions. Long-term follow-up is essential to monitor potential complications such as residual shunting, arrhythmias, and the development of pulmonary vascular disease. Collaborative efforts among cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other multidisciplinary specialists are paramount in providing comprehensive care for patients with aneurysmal ASDs.

Resolution of Trifascicular Heart Block with Effective Closure of Congenital Atrial Septal Defect Followed by Later Coronavirus Disease 2019-associated Cardiac Strain

Heart block (HB) is one of the most serious arrhythmias. Higher degrees of HB-for example, trifascicular HB-result in a more intense patient condition. Atrial septal defects (ASDs) represent the most common congenital heart disease in adults. All ASDs generally result in a left-to-right shunt, commonly causing right-side enlargement and dilation and, to a lesser extent, left atrial enlargement. A 26-year-old woman presented to the physician outpatient clinic with a complicated ASD with trifascicular HB and severe mitral and tricuspid regurgitations. The trifascicular HB with valvular regurgitations resolved with congenital ASD closure; however, she was diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated cardiac strain 3 years later. Interventions included electrocardiography, oxygenation, echocardiography, and cardiovascular surgical repair. A dramatic electrocardiographic response and better clinical outcomes despite dilations of both atria were observed. Trifascicular HB is a newly recorded association after congenital ASDs in adults. The disappearance of trifascicular HB after surgical closure of the congenital ASD is an indicator of effective surgical repair. The occurrence of COVID-19 pneumonia later, with atrial dilations continuing after the infection, may be a constellation of risk factors for the observed cardiac strain.

Pearl Syndrome With an Unusual Association of Spina Bifida and Congenital Cholesteatoma

We report a case of a one-day-old female with congenital facial nerve palsy, bilateral microtia, congenital heart disease, spina bifida, and congenital cholesteatoma. The newborn was brought by the mother with complaints of abnormally looking ear and a facial droop toward the left side, following which a two-dimensional echocardiography was done showing the atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defect. Computed tomography of the temporal bone showed the presence of congenital cholesteatoma in the left ear. MRI of the lumbosacral spine was suggestive of spina bifida occulta. Brainstem evoked response audiometry was suggestive of sensorineural hearing loss. Such a combination of symptoms is very rare, and therefore this case is being reported.

Cardiopulmonary haemodynamics after sieve-shaped atrial septal defect repair: a multicenter study

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to collect case data on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) sieve-shaped (S-S) and non-sieve-shaped (N-S-S) atrial septal defects (ASDs).

METHODS

We analysed and summarized the postoperative blood flow in the cardiopulmonary system. We retrospectively collected 86 patients who underwent CPB S-S and N-S-S ASD repair. The data collected included sex, age, CPB time, ASD area, percentage change in ventricular value (PVV) (preoperative/postoperative), left ventricular wall thickness, ejection fraction (EF) (preoperative/postoperative), fluid inflow value, pulmonary arterial pressure/pulmonary venous pressure, percentage change in total lung resistance (PTLR) (preoperative/postoperative) for statistical analysis and comparison.

RESULTS

There were 86 eligible patients in this study, 37 and 49 of whom had S-S and N-S-S ASDs, respectively. The PVV, PTLR, and pulmonary arterial pressure/pulmonary venous pressure (postoperative) were significantly different between the S-S and N-S-S groups. The mean PTLR in the S-S and N-S-S groups was 0.78±0.24 and 0.62±0.28, respectively. The mean PVV in the S-S group was 11.53±7.63, and that in the N-S-S group was 16.47±9.71. Multivariate analysis revealed PVV (OR, 0.143; 95% CI, 0.026-0.790; P=0.026), PTLR (OR, 0.156; 95% CI, 0.049-0.500; P=0.002), and pulmonary arterial pressure/pulmonary venous pressure (postoperative) (OR, 9.014; 95% CI, 2.480-32.755; P=0.001) as significant factors. The rate of pulmonary infection absence postoperatively in the S-S group was 76.52%, and that in the N-S-S group was 42.75%.

CONCLUSION

Due to the differences in heart structure between the S-S and N-S-S groups, the haemodynamic index (PVV and PTLR, postoperative pulmonary arterial pressure/pulmonary venous pressure) changes after S-S ASD repair were less than those after N-S-S ASD repair, so the postoperative pulmonary infection rate was higher after N-S-S ASD repair. The pulmonary infection rate was low after S-S ASD repair, and drugs should be reasonably administered to prevent infection.

Current practice in atrial septal defect occlusion in children and adults

INTRODUCTION

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is one of the most common congenital heart diseases (CHD) in children and adults. This group of malformations includes several types of atrial communications allowing shunting of blood between the systemic and the pulmonary circulations. Early diagnosis and treatment carries favorable outcomes. Patients diagnosed during adulthood often present with complications related to longstanding volume overload such as pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH), atrial dysrhythmias, and right (RV) and left (LV) ventricular dysfunction.

AREA COVERED

This article intended to review all aspects of ASD; anatomy, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, natural history, and indication for treatment. Also, we covered the transcatheter therapy in detail, including the procedural aspect, available devices, and outcomes.

EXPERT OPINION

There has been a remarkable improvement in the treatment strategy of ASD over the last few decades. Transcatheter closure of ASD is currently accepted as the treatment of choice in most patients with appropriately selected secundum ASDs. This review will focus on the most recent advances in diagnosis and treatment strategy of secundum ASD.

Long-Term Outcome After Transcatheter Atrial Septal Defect Closure in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

AIMS

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies to characterize the current literature and help determine the long-term outcomes after transcatheter ASD closure in adults.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Two investigators searched the manuscript databases for all eligible studies in accordance with the considered keywords. The pooled prevalence of each event according to the meta-analysis and considering the weight calculated for each study included 10.1% (for arrhythmia), 1.8% (for emboli), 2.3% (for stroke), 12.5% (for residual shunt), 1.8% (for erosion), and 2.5% (for death).

CONCLUSION

The present meta-analysis show high long-term successfulness of transcatheter ASD closure in adults.

Pathophysiology and natural history of atrial septal defect

Atrial septal defects are among the third most common types of congenital heart disease. This group of malformations includes several types of atrial communications allowing shunting of blood between the systemic and the pulmonary circulations. The nature of shunting across the defect in patients with atrial septal defect is of particular interest. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of interatrial shunts and their natural history will help selecting the best timing for closure, before irreversible cardiac and pulmonary injury occur. This review describes the different pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in the direction and magnitude of blood flow through atrial septal defects. The natural history of an individual born with an isolated atrial septal defect is then discussed, including the impact of a longstanding shunt on survival.

Impact of hospital volume on outcomes of percutaneous ASD/PFO closure in pediatric patients

BACKGROUND

We investigated the effect of hospital volume on percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect/patent foramen ovale (ASD) among pediatric patients.

METHODS

We identified patients undergoing percutaneous closure of ASD with device using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) procedure code 35.52 from the National Inpatient Sample, years 2002-2011. Patients with age ≤ 18 years and primary diagnosis code 745.5 for ASD were included. Hospital volume was calculated using unique identification numbers and divided into tertiles for analysis. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of procedure-related complications which were coded using specific codes released by Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project.

RESULTS

6162 percutaneous ASD closure procedures were analyzed. There was no mortality associated with percutaneous ASD closure. Cardiac complications (9.5%) were most common. On multivariate analysis, age increment of 3 years decreased the odds of developing complications (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.79-0.87, P < 0.001). Odds of developing complications in the 2nd (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.62-0.89, P = 0.007) and 3rd tertiles (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.27-0.42, P < 0.001) were lower as compared to the 1st tertile of hospital volume.

CONCLUSION

Increasing annual hospital volume is an independent predictor of lower complication rates in percutaneous ASD closure cases with no associated mortality in pediatric patients.

The Significance of Crochetage on the R wave of an Electrocardiogram for the Early Diagnosis of Pediatric Secundum Atrial Septal Defect

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the incidence of crochetage on the R wave in inferior limb leads can be used for the diagnosis of pediatric secundum atrial septal defect (ASD). Two hundred fifty-six children with secundum ASD (case cohort) and 256 age- and gender-matched children without heart disease (control cohort) were included in the study. Statistical analyses were performed to test the relationship between the ASD and the crochetage on the R wave with a single lead and three leads, respectively. The impact of incomplete right bundle branch block (IRBBB) and ASD diameter (≥ 5 and < 5 mm) on ASD diagnosis were also explored. Crochetage on the R wave was observed in all three inferior limb leads on 28.13% (72/256, 28 with IRBBB) of subjects with secundum ASD, while it was seen in only 2.73% (7/256, one with IRBBB) of control subjects (P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that the incidence of R wave crochetage correlated with ASD size in both the single inferior limb lead (26.14%, 23/88 on ASD ≥ 5 mm vs. 10.71%, 18/168 on ASD < 5 mm; P = 0.001) and all three inferior limb leads (44.32%, 39/88 on ASD ≥ 5 mm vs. 19.64%, 33/168 on ASD < 5 mm; P < 0.001). Our findings suggest that crochetage on the R wave in inferior limb leads can serve as an independent marker for ASD diagnosis.