TRANSCATHETER DEVICE CLOSURE OF SECUNDUM ASD A 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE - A SINGLE CENTRE STUDY

Objective: To analyze the results of transcatheter closure of Secundum Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)with special focus on immediate complications encountered during the procedure. Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted at Armed Forces Institute of cardiology/ National institute of Heart Diseases from 1st June 2005 to 31st August 2015. The participants of the study underwent transcatheter closure of Secundum ASD. All patients were evaluated with 2-D echocardiography before the procedure. The age of patients varied from 15 months to 75 years and 60% (n=493) were female. The sizing balloon was used in 4% and general anaesthesia was given in 55% of patients. Results: Among 822 patients, 96.4% had successful closure of ASD. The procedural failure rate was 3.6% (30) which included large defect (19), atrial fibrillation (2) and device embolization (9). In four patients there was malpositioning of device that was retrieved and successfully redeployed in stable position. There was no emergency surgical exploration during this period. The minor complications including transient arrhythmias were seen in 2.5 %(19) patients and residual leak was also found in one patient. All patients were discharged home in next morning. No death occurred during this period. Conclusion: Transcatheter device closure of secundum atrial septal defect is an effective and safe procedure with minimal complications. However it requires a careful assessment of the defect by skilled and professional hands.