Percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects: immediate and mid-term results.

Introduction: The incidence of percutaneous closure of secundum atrial septal defects (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO), which has become an established therapy, is constantly increasing. In this study, which is the first in the Greek literature, we present the immediate and mid-term results from this intervention in our center. Methods: From April 2004 to April 2008, 103 patients underwent percutaneous closure of an ASD or PFO using Amplatzer closure devices. Thirty were male, the mean age was 37 ± 15.5 years, and the mean follow-up period 21.7 ± 14.8 months. The procedure was successful in 102 of the above patients; 69 (mean age 36.3 years ± 17.1, 81% female) underwent secundum ASD closure, while 33 patients (mean age 39.1 ± 10.5 years, 16 female and 17 male) underwent percutaneous closure of a PFO due to cryptogenic stroke. Results: There were no major complications during the procedure (death, device embolization or need for immediate cardiac surgery). There were minor complications in 8 (7.7%) patients (bleeding at the puncture site, transient ST elevation in the inferior leads, multiple atrial and ventricular ectopics). The transient ST elevation in the inferior leads appeared in 5 patients (5%) and was probably due to air embolization. This transient complication completely resolved within 3 minutes. During the follow-up period, no patient had a major complication (cardiac rupture, device embolization, thrombus formation, thromboembolism or infective endocarditis). Most importantly, in the patients who underwent PFO closure there were no recurrences of cryptogenic stroke during the follow-up period (24.3 ± 14.5 months). Conclusions: This study shows that using Amplatzer closure devices for atrial septal communications is both safe and effective, with sustained results over a maximum follow-up period of four years. Appropriate patient selection, as well as accurate device sizing fitting the dimensions of the defect, are important factors for the success and the safety of the method.