Secundum Atrial septal defect (ASD) and Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is becoming the most popular field of interest for catheter-based interventions. While there is a common agreement about the management of ASD patients, there is no complete agreement on which is the best management of PFO patients. In PFO patients, the real challenge for the clinician, beside secondary prevention of recurrent s...

A patient presenting with a history of palpitation and exertional dyspnea was initially diagnosed with two separate secundum-type atrial septal defects by transesophageal echocardiography. Subsequent transesophageal echocardiography, after failure of closure with two separate closure devices, showed another defect and an ongoing left to right shunt. During surgery, more defects were observed. T...

OBJECTIVES Transcatheter closure of a secundum atrial septal defect (ASD II) has become an effective alternative for surgical treatment. In this study we evaluated the correlation between the two-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiographic (2D TEE) sizing of ASDs and the actual diameter of occluders in patients undergoing device closure. METHODS The records of 54 patients who underwent tra...

BACKGROUND Volume overload of the pulmonary circulation in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD)-type secundum causes pulmonary vascular disease over a long period of time. This study aimed at (1) evaluating pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and (2) investigating the relation between PVR and exercise capacity in patients with open and closed ASD. METHODS AND RESULTS Forty-six patients wi...

We report an unusual congenital cardiac anomaly consisting of a downward displacement of all leaflets of both atrio-ventricular valves. In addition to these changes, an atrial septal defect of the secundum type was noted. In light of the extreme rarity of this interesting anomaly complex, we reviewed the literature and compare the morphologic features of the present case with classic Ebstein's ...

OBJECTIVE The characteristic rSR' pattern in lead V1 on electrocardiogram (ECG) has been described in association with atrial septal defect (ASD) and right ventricular dilation. We aimed to determine if temporal ECG changes can guide a more discriminate and cost-effective screening during follow-up of isolated secundum ASD. METHODS Our study population included all pediatric patients followed...

AIMS Atrial septal defect (ASD) is one of the most common congenital heart diseases in adults. We prospectively evaluated early and mid-term effects of the percutaneous closure of secundum ASD on atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) and left atrial (LA) mechanical functions at the first day and sixth month in patients undergoing percutaneous closure. METHODS AND RESULTS Forty-one patients we...

Atrial septal defects are among the most common congenital heart defects seen in the adult population. The diagnosis is usually made in children and closure is attempted before they are school age. In other cases, where the diagnosis is missed until adulthood, atrial arrhythmias and congestive heart failure are commonly seen. We report the case of an atrial septal defect (secundum type), which ...

OBJECTIVES The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the short-term outcomes of surgical versus transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) in adults. METHODS From January 2008 to October 2012, 229 patients aged 18 years and older with significant isolated secundum ASDs were admitted to our hospital. We focused only on objective data obtained from their medical recor...