Introduction: Although multiple defects of the atrial septum are not uncommon, there remain limited data regarding the use of multiple devices in these patients. A variety of approaches to transcatheter closure have been used, and in this paper we describe the experience from two operators in a single centre. Methods: From September 2002 to September 2012, 673 transcatheter atrial septal defect...

OBJECTIVE Percutaneous transcatheter occlusion has benefited thousands of patients suffering from patent foramen ovale and atrial septal defect. However, no general agreement has been reached on the superiority among occluders. Thus, a meta-analysis between the two most commonly adopted types of occluders was conducted. METHODS The literature review has identified relevant studies up to May, ...

Inroduction: This study reports on our experience with transcatheter closure of perimembraneous ventricular septal defects (pm-VSDs) with Amplatzer duct occluder I (ADO I) and Amplatzer duct occluder II (ADO II) Methods: Transcatheter device implantation with ADO I and ADO II was attempted in 17 patients with pm-VSD between August 2014 to December 2015. We usually decided the appropriate type a...

An asymptomatic 50-year-old Caucasian woman was referred to our echocardiography laboratory to monitor a Biostar septal occluder device inserted six months before in order to close a patent foramen ovale. On transthoracic echocardiography no residual shunt was observed but the device was not identifiable (Figure 1A); after injection of agitated saline solution in a vein of the right arm and the...

BACKGROUND In an effort to reduce x-ray exposure, we developed a technique for transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects under echocardiographic guidance without fluoroscopy. To assess the efficiency of this procedure for routine use, we compared our initial results with those for the conventional procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS Twenty-two randomly selected patients (median age 18 years; ...

The management of postinfarction ventricular septal defects represents a challenge to both cardiologists and surgeons due to the high morbidity and mortality rate. We report the case of a 79-year-old patient who developed an apical rupture of the ventricular septum, nine days after an anterior myocardial infarction. As the patient was in cardiogenic shock and developed acute pulmonary edema we ...