Impact of Atrial Septal Defect Closure on Mortality in Older Patients

Background:Atrial septal defect(ASD)is a common form of adult congenital heart disease that can lead to long-term adverse outcomes if left untreated.Early closure of ASD has been associated with excellent outcomes and lower complication rates.However,there is limited evidence regarding the prognosis of ASD closure in older adults.This study aims to evaluate the mortality rates in older ASD patients with and without closure.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients aged 40 years or older with ASD between 2001 and 2017.Patients were followed up to assess all-cause mortality.Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify the predictors of mortality.A p-value of<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:The cohort consisted of 450 patients(mean age 56.6±10.4 years,77.3%female),with 66%aged between 40 and 60 years,and 34%over 60 years.Within the cohort,299 underwent ASD closure(201 with transcatheter and 98 with surgical closure).During the median follow-up duration of 7.9 years,51 patients died.The unadjusted cumulative 10-year rate of mortality was 3%in patients with ASD closure,and 28%in patients without ASD closure(log-rank p<0.001).Multivariable analysis revealed that age(hazard ratio[HR]1.04,95%confidence interval[CI]1.006–1.06,p=0.01),NYHA class(HR 2.75,95%CI 1.63–4.62,p<0.001),blood urea nitrogen(BUN)(HR 1.07,95%CI 1.03–1.12,p<0.001),right ventricular systolic pressure(RVSP)(HR 1.07,95%CI 1.003–1.04,p=0.01),and lack of ASD closure(HR 15.12,95%CI 5.63–40.59,p<0.001)were independently associated with mortality.Conclusion:ASD closure demonstrated favorable outcomes in older patients.Age,NYHA class,BUN,RVSP,and lack of ASD closure were identified as independent factors linked to mortality in this population.

Reliability of Echocardiographic Pulmonary Vascular Resistance to Screen for the New Definition of Precapillary Pulmonary Hypertension in Uncorrected Secundum Atrial Septal Defect

Background and Objective:The most feared complication of uncorrected secundum Atrial Septal Defect(ASD)is pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH).Pulmonary vascular resistance(PVR)is crucial in detecting precapil-lary pulmonary hypertension(PH)to guide the need for PAH-specific therapy.There is a change in the cut-off value of PVR according to the recently updated PH guideline.How echocardiographic PVR(PVRecho)correlates to PVR by right heart catheterization(RHC)(PVRcath)according to the new guidelines has not been known.The aim of this study is to determine the reliability of PVRecho in detecting PAH in Uncorrected Ostium Secundum ASD based on the current updated guideline and to help screen the high PVR group.Methods:429 ostium secun-dum ASD in the COngenital HeARt Disease in Adult and Pulmonary Hypertension(COHARD-PH)registry was divided into three groups according to the PVR.PVRecho was calculated using Abbas’Formula and compared the its gold standard,the PVRcath.The correlation between the two methods was analyzed.The Bland-Altman plot was used to analyze the agreement between the two methods.Receiver operating characteristics(ROC)analysis was used to determine the PVRecho cut-off value for high PVR.Results:The majority of the population(63.5%)had high PVR.Female gender dominated the study population(84%).PVR_(echo) was significantly correlated with PVRcath(r=0.6225,p<0.0001).Bland-Altman plot among all groups and in subgroups analysis showed a wide range of agreement.PVRecho underestimated PVRcath 5.124 WU.In subgroup analysis,PVRecho overestimated PVRcath 0.35 WU in those with PVR<2 WU.In the second and third groups,PVR_(echo) underestimated PVRcath 0.52 and 10.77 WU,respectively.Conclusion:PVRecho is reliable in predicting high PVR in uncorrected secun-dum ASD.However,there is a wide range of agreement.PVR_(echo) cut-off value of>1.62 WU showed good dis-criminatory power in determining high PVR.

Intelligent diagnosis of atrial septal defect in children using echocardiography with deep learning

Background Atrial septal defect(ASD)is one of the most common congenital heart diseases.The diagnosis of ASD via transthoracic echocardiography is subjective and time-consuming.Methods The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of automatic detection of ASD in children based on color Doppler echocardiographic static images using end-to-end convolutional neural networks.The proposed depthwise separable convolution model identifies ASDs with static color Doppler images in a standard view.Among the standard views,we selected two echocardiographic views,i.e.,the subcostal sagittal view of the atrium septum and the low parasternal four-chamber view.The developed ASD detection system was validated using a training set consisting of 396 echocardiographic images corresponding to 198 cases.Additionally,an independent test dataset of 112 images corresponding to 56 cases was used,including 101 cases with ASDs and 153 cases with normal hearts.Results The average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve,recall,precision,specificity,F1-score,and accuracy of the proposed ASD detection model were 91.99,80.00,82.22,87.50,79.57,and 83.04,respectively.Conclusions The proposed model can accurately and automatically identify ASD,providing a strong foundation for the intelligent diagnosis of congenital heart diseases.

Genetic Analysis of Variants of the MYH6 Gene Promoter in Congenital Atrial Septal Defects

Background:Atrial septal defect(ASD)is one of the common congenital heart diseases.The MYH6 gene has a critical role in cardiac development but the role of MYH6 promoter variants in patients with ASD has not been explored.Methods:In 613 subjects including 320 ASD patients,we investigated the MYH6 gene promoter variants and verified the effect on gene expression by using cellular functional experiments and bioinformatics analysis.Results:Eleven variants were identified in the MYH6 gene promoter,of which four variants were found only in ASD patients,and two variants(g.3434G>C and g.4524C>T)were identified for the first time.Cellular functional experiments indicated that all four variants reduced the transcriptional activity of the MYH6 gene promoter(p<0.05).Subsequent analysis through the JASPAR(A database of transcription factor binding profiles)suggests that these variants may alter transcription factor binding sites,which may in turn lead to changes in myocardin subunit expression and ASD formation.Conclusions:Our study for the first time focuses on variants in the promoter region of the MYH6 gene in Chinese patients with ASD and the discovered variants have functional significance.The study provides new insights in the role of the MYH6 gene promoter region to better understand the genetic basis of ASD formation and facilitates clinical diagnosis.

“Treat-Repair-Treat”:Management of Left Main Coronary Compression by a Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm in a Patient with Atrial Septal Defect and Significant Pulmonary Hypertension

Left main coronary compression syndrome(LMCS)may complicate pulmonary artery aneurysms(PAA),usually developed in the context of pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH).We report the case of a 51-year-old female patient with an atrial septal defect(unsuitable for device closure)complicated by a PAA generating a 90%left main stenosis.The significant PAH held us back from immediate surgery.After specific dual PAH-targeted therapy(sildenafil and bosentan),the atrial septal defect could be closed with a unidirectional valved patch;the PAAinduced LMCS was treated by reductive arterioplasty.The postoperative course was uneventful.Follow-up showed clinical improvement,but PAH treatment was still needed.After three months,coronary angiography showed only an insignificant residual left main stenosis,proving that reductive pulmonary arterioplasty was effective in treating LMCS.Any PAA requires further evaluation for LMCS,a dangerous but treatable complication.The“treat-repair-treat”strategy and shunt-closure with a unidirectional valved patch can both improve surgical prospects of LMCS with shunt-related PAH.

The Effect of Atrial Septal Defect Closure on Cardiac Volumetric Changes in Adults, Transcatheter Versus Surgical Closure, a Pilot Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Study

Background:Closure of an atrial septal defect(ASD)reduces right-side heart volumes by abolishing shunting with simultaneous improvement of the left ventricle(LV)filling and functions due to ventricular interdependence,thereby improving symptoms.Furthermore,studies conducted on atrial volume changes after ASD closure are limited.Cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR)is considered as the gold standard method for measuring cardiac volume and mass.Objective:We aimed to study the effect of transcatheter and surgical closure of secundum ASD on cardiac volumes and systolic functions as well as the fate of tricuspid regurgitation(TR),using CMR analysis.Methods:We prospectively enrolled 30 adult patients with isolated secundum ASD who were referred to ASD closure.CMR evaluation of cardiac chambers indexed volumes,systolic function,myocardial mass index,and tricuspid regurgitant fraction were done at before and 6 months after closure.Results:RV volumes decreased in both groups when compared to baseline(p-value 0.001),the device group had more reduction in volumes and more improvement in RV function after closure(p-value 0.001)when compared to the surgical arm.The changes in the RV mass index were insignificant between both groups(p-value 0.31).Functional TR improved to the same extent in both groups.Left ventricular end diastolic volume index(LVEDVI)and LV mass index increased sig-nificantly in both groups when compared to baseline in both groups but with no difference between groups p-value 0.01),left ventricular end systolic volume index(LVESVI)changes were insignificant.LV systolic function improved in patients who underwent device closure only(63.53±3.85 vs.67.13±4.34,p-value 0.01).There was a significant reduction in right atrial(RA)volumes and an insignificant decrease in left atrial(LA)volumes,with no difference between groups.Conclusion:Transcatheter and surgical secundum ASD closure resulted in volumetric changes in some cardiac chambers with better improvement in bi-ventricular systolic function in the transcatheter arm and no difference in the TR reduction between the two groups at 6 months follow-up by CMR.

Delayed cardiac tamponade after simultaneous transcatheter atrial septal defect closure and left atrial appendage closure device implantation: a particular case report

Percutaneous left atrial appendage(LAA)occlusion evolved as an alternative treatment to the patients who are contraindicated or cannot tolerate oral anticoagulants with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation(AF)at risk of stroke or systemic embolism.[1]Abnormal hemodynamic changes in elder atrial septal defect(ASD)patients cause remodeling of the left atrium,which eventually leads to right heart failure.[2]As the ASDs elderly are associated with a higher incidence of AF,simultaneous transcatheter ASD and LAA closure has become a new effective therapeutic strategy.However,only a limited number of articles involving cardiac tamponade complications have been published in the literature.What’s more,previous studies involving early hemodynamically irrelevant pericardial effusion after the procedure attribute to multiple repositioning attempts of LAA occluder or delivery sheath injured the atrial wall.

Dynamic Characteristic Mechanism of Atrial Septal Defect Using Real-Time Three-Dimensional Echocardiography and Evaluation of Right Ventricular Functions

The dynamic characteristics of the area of the atrial septal defect（ASD） were evaluated using the technique of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography（RT 3DE）, the potential factors responsible for the dynamic characteristics of the area of ASD were observed, and the overall and local volume and functions of the patients with ASD were measured. RT 3DE was performed on the 27 normal controls and 28 patients with ASD. Based on the three-dimensional data workstations, the area of ASD was measured at P wave vertex, R wave vertex, T wave starting point, and T wave terminal point and in the T-P section. The right atrial volume in the same time phase of the cardiac cycle and the motion displacement distance of the tricuspid annulus in the corresponding period were measured. The measured value of the area of ASD was analyzed. The changes in the right atrial volume and the motion displacement distance of the tricuspid annulus in the normal control group and the ASD group were compared. The right ventricular ejection fractions in the normal control group and the ASD group were compared using the RT 3DE long-axis eight-plane（LA 8-plane） method. Real-time three-dimensional volume imaging was performed in the normal control group and ASD group（n=30）. The right ventricular inflow tract, outflow tract, cardiac apex muscular trabecula dilatation, end-systolic volume, overall dilatation, end-systolic volume, and appropriate local and overall ejection fractions in both two groups were measured with the four-dimensional right ventricular quantitative analysis method（4D RVQ） and compared. The overall right ventricular volume and the ejection fraction measured by the LA 8-plane method and 4D RVQ were subjected to a related analysis. Dynamic changes occurred to the area of ASD in the cardiac cycle. The rules for dynamic changes in the area of ASD and the rules for changes in the right atrial volume in the cardiac cycle were consistent. The maximum value of the changes in the right atrial volume occurred in the end-systolic period when the peak of the curve appeared. The minimum value of the changes occurred in the end-systolic period and was located at the lowest point of the volume variation curve. The area variation curve for ASD and the motion variation curve for the tricuspid annulus in the cardiac cycle were the same. The displacement of the tricuspid annulus exhibited directionality. The measured values of the area of ASD at P wave vertex, R wave vertex, T wave starting point, T wave terminal point and in the T-P section were properly correlated with the right atrial volume（P〈0.001）. The area of ASD and the motion displacement distance of the tricuspid annulus were negatively correlated（P〈0.05）. The right atrial volumes in the ASD group in the cardiac cycle in various time phases increased significantly as compared with those in the normal control group（P=0.0001）. The motion displacement distance of the tricuspid annulus decreased significantly in the ASD group as compared with that in the normal control group（P=0.043）. The right ventricular ejection fraction in the ASD group was lower than that in the normal control group（P=0.032）. The ejection fraction of the cardiac apex trabecula of the ASD patients was significantly lower than the ejection fractions of the right ventricular outflow tract and inflow tract and overall ejection fraction. The difference was statistically significant（P=0.005）. The right ventricular local and overall dilatation and end-systolic volumes in the ASD group increased significantly as compared with those in the normal control group（P=0.031）. The a RVEF and the overall ejection fraction decreased in the ASD group as compared with those in the normal control group（P=0.0005）. The dynamic changes in the area of ASD and the motion curves for the right atrial volume and tricuspid annulus have the same dynamic characteristics. RT 3DE can be used to accurately evaluate the local and overall volume and functions of the right ventricle. The local and overall volume loads of the right ventricle in the ASD patients increase significantly as compared with those of the normal people. The right ventricular cardiac apex and the overall systolic function decrease.

Cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation and left atrial appendage occlusion prior to atrial septal defect closure: A case report

BACKGROUND In patients who suffer from both atrial fibrillation(AF)and atrial septal defect(ASD),cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation(PVI),sequential left atrial appendage(LAA)occlusion and ASD closure could be a strategy for effective prevention of stroke and right heart failure.CASE SUMMARY A 65-year-old man was admitted to our institution due to recurrent episodes of palpitations and shortness of breath for 2 years,which had been worsening over the last 48 h.He had a history of AF,ASD,coronary heart disease with stent implantation and diabetes.Physical and laboratory examinations showed no abnormalities.The score of CHA2DS2VASc was 3,and HAS-BLED was 1.Echocardiography revealed a 25-mm secundum ASD.Pulmonary vein(PV)and LAA anatomy were assessed by cardiac computed tomography.PV mapping with 10-pole Lasso catheter was performed following ablation of all four PVs with complete PVI.Following the cryoballoon PVI,the patient underwent LAA occlusion under transesophageal echocardiographic monitoring.Lastly,a 34-mm JIYI ASD occlude device was implanted.A follow-up transesophageal echocardiography at 3 mo showed proper position of both devices and neither thrombi nor leakage was found.CONCLUSION Sequential cryoballoon PVI and LAA occlusion prior to ASD closure can be performed safely in AF patients with ASD.

Missense mutations in CSX/NKX_(2.5)are associated with atrial septal defects

Objective ：To study the gene mutations of homeobox transcription factor （CSX/NKX2.5） associated with a Chinese family with secundum atrial septal defect （ASD）. Methods ：Polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing were used to check all the members in the family with ASD, and single strand conformation polymorphism analysis （SSCP） was used to check 126 normal control people for detecting the mutations of CSX/NKX2.5 gene. Results： Three mutations, G270A（Glu32Lys ）, G378A （Glu68Lys）andG390A （Glu72Lys）were identified in CSX/NKX2.5 gene of ASD patients. However, the other members in the family with ASD and the control did not have such gene mutations. Conclusion：These mutations of CSX/NKX2.5 gene, which were identified in a Chinese family, may be one of the secundum ASD etiologic causes .

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Rotation and Twist Using Speckle Tracking Imaging in Patients with Atrial Septal Defect

Speckle tracking imaging （STI） was employed to investigate the effect of right ventricular （RV） volume and pressure overload on left ventricular （LV） rotation and twist in 35 patients with atrial septal defect （ASD）, 18 of which with pulmonary hypertension, and 21 healthy subjects serving as controls. The peak rotations of 6 segments at the basal and apical short-axises and the average peak rotation and interval time of the 6 segments in the opposite direction during early systolic phase were measured respectively. LV twist versus time profile was drawn and the peak twist and time to peak twist were calculated. LV ejection fraction （EF） was measured by Biplane Simpson. Compared to ASD patients without pulmonary hypertension and healthy subjects, the peak rotations of posterior, inferior and postsept walls at the basal level were lower （P〈0.05）, and the average counterclockwise peak rotation of 6 segments at the basal level during early systolic phase was higher （P〈0.05）, and the average interval time was delayed （P〈0.05）. LV peak twist was also lower （P〈0.05）, and had a significant negative correlation with pulmonary arterial systolic pressure （r=-0.57, P=0.001）. No significant differences were found in LVEF among the three groups. It was suggested that although RV volume overload due to ASD has no significant effects on LV rotation and twist, LV peak twist is lower in ASD patients with pulmonary hypertension. Thus LV twist may serve as a new indicator of the presence of pulmonary hypertension in ASD patients.

Outcomes of Three Different Minimal Invasive Approaches for Secundum Atrial Septal Defect Closure: A Single Institute Experience

Objective:The aims of this retrospective study were to investigate and evaluate the safety and efficacy of three approaches for closure of secundum atrial septal defect(ASD).Methods:In this study,we reviewed clinical data for transcatheter occlusion(TCO,n=63),transthoracic occlusion(TTO,n=55),and right anterolateral minithoracotomy(RALT,n=60)techniques used for ASD closure.We compared the safety and efficacy of the three approaches.Results:ASD size in the TTO group was similar to that in the RALT group(P=0.645)and significantly larger than that in the TCO group(P<O.OO1).The RALT group had more non-central types of ASD than the TTO and TCO groups(P=O.019 and P<O.OO1).The operative time in the TTO group was shorter than that in the TCO and RALT groups(P<O.OO1 and P<0.001).The ventilation time and intensive care unit duration were shorter in the TTO group than in the RALT group(P<O.OO1 and P<O.OO1).Hospital duration in the TCO group was shorter than that in the TTO and RALT groups(P<O.OO1 and P<O.OO1).There were no residual shunt and mortality in any group in hospital or during follow-up.There was no significant difference in the incidence of total complications among the three groups(P=0.738).Conclusion:TCO,TTO,and RALT can be performed with favorable cosmetic and clinical results for closing ASD.Appropriate patient selection is an important factor for successful closure.These techniques are promising alternatives to standard median sternotomy and merit additional study.

Improvement of the Technique for Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defect in Children

Objectives To improve experience of procedure and success rate of interventional treatment of atrial septal defect （ASD） in children, applying the technique of controlling release of devices in the pulmonary vein （controlling two disc of device opening for subsequence） in children cases with ASD who can not be occluded by regularly interventional treatment. Methods Since 2000 year 182 child cases （male 70 and 112 female） underwent the procedure of controlling release of devices in the pulmonary vein. The patients＇ age was from 2 to 14 years old （average 3.77±1.55）. The body weight was from 9 to 48 Kg （average 21.53±10.63）. When the devices were placed on the right position with difficulty and failure in some cases with short and soft rims of the defect and large defect and the angle between the device and the interval atrial septal （IAS）, It could be helpful to put the device into the left upper pulmonary vein, and to make right atrium （proximal） disc opened before the left atrium （distal） disc naturally fall down. At the end the double disc of the device clamped and stood up at the right position of the IAS. After closure of ASD, patients were followed up regularly by echocardiography, X-ray and ECG in the 1,3,6,12 month and 3,5 years. Results The successful rate of device implantation in the improving group （98.4%） was obviously higher than that in the regularly group （68%）. The techniques improved in this group with the smaller age, the lighter weight, the larger defect and the larger device comparing with the regularly group. The velocity of the pulmonary vein before occlusion procedure was （0.54±0.15）m/s; after procedure was （0.56±0.16）m/s, P 〉 0.05,there were no significant difference. All cases couldn＇t found pulmonary congestion by follow up. Conclusions The method of controlling release of device in the pulmonary vein has been used more than 5 years in the occlusion of ASD with double disc device. It is feasible and safety. The aim of the improvement is for overcoming the problem with larger ASD and the rim deficiency in the interventional procedure in children with ASD. In summary： 1. The performance of the procedure must be careful; 2. To avoid complication when put the sheath into the pulmonary vein; 3. To avoid to put the left disc into pulmonary vein too long and pull the device too much; 4. When the procedure have to operate repeatedly, the device can not be released before the position satisfactory. The improvement of the technique is needed to carry on long-term follow-up in the clinical trials.

Complications Related to Transcatheter Occlusion of Atrial Septal Defect with Amplatzer Septal Occluder in Children

Objectives To investigate the causes, theraputic and preventive methods of com- plications associated with transcatheter occlusion of at- rial septal defect ( ASD) using the Amplatzer septal oc- cluder (ASO) in children. Methods 289 cases un- derwent transcatheter closure of ASD with ASO. Com- plications occurred in 9 cases. The complications in procedure included systemic circulatory systemic air embolism in 2, pulmonary air embolism in 1, pericar- dial tamponade in 1, ASO malposition requiring emer- gency surgical removal in 1, transient atrial extrasysto- les in 1 and sizing balloon rupture in 1 case. 2 cases with postoperative complications were found in the fol- low-up studies. These included perforation of mitral valve and ASO partially dislodged. In this study, 5 children with intraoperative complication received e- mergency therapy including surgical intervention, and others needed only follow-up, as the complications were transient or asymptomatic. Results There were no children death in this study. The 5 cases who re- ceived treatment were completely healing, and the oth- ers with intra - procedure complications were also had no sequela existed. Cases with mitral valve and ASO partially dislodged were still in follow-up studies, as the 2 patients having no symptoms. Conclutions Air embolism were occurred easily in atrial septal defect cases who received ASO therapy. Complications mainly caused by inappropriate operative procedure and some complications needed emergency treatments. Follow-up studies were important to cases with transcatheter oc- clusion therapy.

Device-related thrombosis on atrial septal defect occluder after simultaneous closure of left atrial appendage and atrial septal defect: a case report

An atrial septal defect (ASD) may cause right heart dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension and atrial fibrillation (AF), and atrial septal defect occlusion (ASDO) is the first choice for treating secundum defects when the morphology permits. ASD and AF frequently coexist, and the risk of AF and stroke persists after ASDO.[1] In recent years, left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) has been recognized as an effective treatment for stroke prevention in nonvalvular AF patients with a high risk of stroke, systemic embolism and bleeding who are unwilling to take oral anticoagulants or cannot tolerate them.

Usefulness of myocardial performance index for assessing right ventricular function after percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect

Objective Assessment of right ventricular function in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD) is difficult. The Doppler myocardial performance index (MPI) may provide a method of assessing function in these patients. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the right ventricular function and its changes in patients with ASD after transcatheter closure of ASD. Methods MPI, defined as the sum of isovolumic relaxation time and isovolumic contraction time derived by ejection time, was measured from tricuspid inflow and right ventricular outflow;Doppler velocity profiles recorded during routine echocardiography.Twenty nine patients (13 men, 16 women;mean age 25.28±12.69, range 6 to 57 years) were diagnosed to secundum ASD [the stretched diameters of ASD were from 9 To 36 (24.91±7.98) mm], and had a successfully placed Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO) (the sizes of ASO were from 11 to 40 mm );there were 81 sex-matched, age-matched healthy people (control group 41men, 40 women;mean age 29.02 ± 14.22, range 4 to 45 years ). MPI was measured again on 3 days and 1 month after closure of ASD. Change in the study group was assessed and compared to the control subjects with structurally normal hearts. A complete 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic examination was performed in all study groups. Results 1) The isovolumic relaxation and isovolumic contraction times [respectively(77.59 ± 14.39)ms vs (60.93 ±12.94)ms, P<0.0001;(28.28 ±10.88)ms vs (23.64 ±9.01)ms, P=0.027] were prolonged, and ejection time [(260.65 ±21.86 )ms vs (271.85 ± 21.92)ms, P=0.033] was shortened in patients with ASD compared with that in control subjects, resulting in a marked increase in the MPI(0.40 ± 0.07 vs 0.31 ± 0.05, P<0.0001) from normal values;2) by Pearson's correlations, the MPI had no correlation with heart rate and blood pressure in control subjects and patients with ASD, but it correlated positively with age in patients with ASD;3) by Pearson's correlations, the MPI correlated positively with the diameter of ASD and pulmonary artery pressure;4) after transcatheter closure of ASD, the MPI decreased markedly. Conclusions 1) MPI is a conceptually new, simple, and reproducible Doppler index in patients with ASD;2) MPI is free from the effect of age, heart rate and blood pressure;(3) MPI appears to be relatively dependent on changes in the diameter of ASD and pulmonary artery pressure;4) the right ventricular function was improved after transcatheter closure of ASD.(J Geriatr Cardiol 2007;4:220-224.)

Percutaneous closure of secundum type atrial septal defects:More than 5-year follow-up

AIM: To investigate long-term efficacy of two different devices more than five years after percutaneous atrial septal defect(ASD) closure in adults.METHODS: All patients who underwent percutaneous closure of an ASD in the St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands, between February 1998 and December 2006 were included. Percutaneous closure took place under general anaesthesia and transesophageal echocardiographic moni toring. Transthoracic echocardiography(TTE) was performed 24 h post-procedure to visualize the device position and to look for residual shunting using color Doppler. All complications were registered. All patients were invited for an outpatient visit and contrast TTE more than 5-years after closure. Efficacy was based on the presence of a residual right-to-left shunt(RLS), graded as minimal, moderate or severe. The presence of a residual left-to-right shunt(LRS) was diagnosed using color Doppler, and was not graded. Descriptive statistics were used for patients' characteristics. Univariate analysis was used to identify predictors for residual shunting.RESULTS: In total, 104 patients(mean age 45.5 ± 17.1 years) underwent percutaneous ASD closure using an Amplatzer device(ASO) in 76 patients and a Cardioseal/Starflex device(CS/SF) in 28 patients. The mean follow-up was 6.4 ± 3.4 years. Device migration occurred in 4 patients of whom two cases occurred during the index hospitalization(1 ASO, 1 CS/SF). The other 2 cases of device migration occurred during the first 6 mo of follow-up(2 CS/SF). The recurrent thrombo-embolic event rate was similar in both groups: 0.4% per follow-up year. More than 12 mo post-ASD closure and latest follow-up, new-onset supraventricular tachyarrhythmia's occurred in 3.9% and 0% for the ASO and CS/SF group, respectively. The RLS rate at latest follow-up was 17.4%(minimal 10.9%, moderate 2.2%, severe 4.3%) and 45.5%(minimal 27.3%, moderate 18.2%, severe 0%) for the ASO- and CS/SF groups, respectively. There was no residual LRS in both groups.CONCLUSION: Percutaneous ASD closure has good long-term safety and efficacy profiles. The residual RLS rate seems to be high more than 5 years after closure, especially in the CS/SF. Residual LRS was not observed.

Evaluation of Atrial Septal Defect Using Real-time Three-dimensional Echocardiography:Comparison with Surgical Findings

The present study evaluated the application of three dimensional echocardigraphy （3DE） in the diagnosis of atrial septal defect （ASD） and the measurement of its size by 3DE and compared the size with surgical findings. Two-dimensional and real-time three dimensional echocardiography （RT3DE） was performed in 26 patients with atrial septal defect, and the echocardiographic data were compared with the surgical findings. Significant correlation was found between defect diameter by RT3DE and that measured during surgery （r=0.77, P〈0.001）. The defect area changed significantly during cardiac cycle. Percentage change in defect size during cardiac cycle ranged from 6%-70%. Our study showed that the size and morphology of atrial septal defect obtained with RT3DE correlate well with surgical findings. Therefore, RT3DE is a feasible and accurate non-invasive imaging tool for assessment of atrial septal size and dynamic changes.

Identification of Two Mutations in PCDHGA4 and SLFN14 Genes in an Atrial Septal Defect Family

Atrial septal defect (ASD)is a common acyanotic congenital cardiac disorder associated with genetic mutations.The objective of this study was to identify the genetic factors in a Chinese family with ASD patients by a whole exome sequencing approach.Causative ASD gene mutations were examined in 16 members from a three-generation family,among which 6 individuals were diagnosed as having ASD.One hundred and eighty-three unrelated healthy Chinese were recruited as a normal control group.Peripheral venous blood was collected from every subject for genetic analysis.Exome sequencing was performed in the ASD patients.Potential causal mutations were detected in non-ASD family members and normal controls by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing analysis.The results showed that all affected family members carried two novel compound mutations,c.1187delT of PCDHGA4 and c.2557insC of SLFN14,and these two mutations were considered to have synergetic function on ASD.In conclusion,the mutations of c.1187delT of PCDHGA4 and c.2557insC of SLFN14 may be pathogenic factors contributing to the development of ASD.

Successful totally transthoracic echocardiography guided transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defect in pregnant women

BACKGROUND Transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defect(ASD) guided by fluoroscopy and/or transesophageal echocardiography is a mature technology. Little study has focused on whether the technology can be guided totally by transthoracic echocardiography(TTE),even in pregnant women with ASD.AIM To evaluate the safety and efficacy of totally TTE guided transcatheter device closure of ASD in pregnant women.METHODS Six pregnant women(gestational age 20-26 wk) with ASD underwent transcatheter device closure totally guided by TTE at our cardiac center from January 2015 to August 2017. A routine transcatheter procedure without fluoroscopy or intubation and a domestic occluder were used in this study.RESULTS All patients had successful closure with good clinical results,and the overall immediate complete closure rate was 100%. The size of the occluder deployed ranged from 20 to 32 mm(26.7 ± 4.3 mm),the procedure time ranged from 30 to50 min(41.7 ± 7.5 min),and the length of hospital stay was 2-3 d(mean 2.2 ± 0.4 d). There were no serious cardiovascular related complications,and transient arrhythmias occurred in one patient during the procedure. During the follow-up period(3 mo to 2 years),no occluder dislodgement,residual fistulas,or thromboses occurred. All of the patients underwent vaginal delivery between 36 and 38 wk of gestation.CONCLUSION Totally TTE guided transcatheter device closure of ASD in pregnant women may be safe and effective.