Value of Transthoracic Echocardiographic Guidance in Transcatheter Occlusion of Atrial Septal Defect

Objective To evaluate the value of transthoracic echocardiography(TTE) in the interventional therapy of atrial septal defect(ASD) . Methods TTE was used in 39 cases with ASD for preoperative screening, monitoring during the operation and postoperative follow up. Result The occluder device was successfully implanted in 39 patients. The largest ASD diameter measureed before operation by TTE were 7～34mm(22.4±8.3mm),and Amplatzer occluders 11～40mm(25.5±8.4mm)in size were used.Close correlation was found between the largest ASD diameter measureed by TTE and the size of occluders. Postoperative fellow up for 6 months or more revealed that all the occluders were fi xed tightly, and no or few residual shunt existed. Conclusions TTE had a high value in selecting ASD patients and the size of occlusion device and postoperative follow up. TTE guidance in transcatheter occlusion of ASD is a feasible, simple, effective and painless method.