Assessment of left ventricular function and geometry by echocardiography after transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects

Objective To evaluate left ventricular systolic function and geometric changes after transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects(ASD).Methods Left ventricular systolic functions were assessed by echocardiography in 45 cases of patients with ASD before operation,and 48 h and 3 month after transcatheter closure.Results Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and left ventricular end-diastolic volume were significantly increased(P 0.05)while there was no change in left ventricular end-systolic volume(P0.05)in the 3rd month after transcatheter closure. Left ventricular stoke,left ventricular ejection fraction and shortening fraction were significantly increased(P0.05)but the eccentricity decreased(P0.05).Conclusion Transcatheter clo- sure of ASD can not only increase the preload of left ventricle but also significantly improve left ventricular systolic function.