Applications of Transthoracic Echocardiography in the Process of Operation Treatment of Atrial septal defect

Objective:To investigate the clinical application of transthoracic echocardiography(TTE)in the process of operation for occlusion of secundum atrial septal defect by guiding Amplatzer occluder to cardiac catheter.Methods:89 patients who may benefit from surgery treatment for occlusion of secundum atrial septal defect were screened by TTE.The closure procedure was guided by Xray,and the septal occluders with suitable size were selected and followed up for patients.Results:The success rate for operation was 100% using Amplatzer occluder under TTE guidance.Complete closure rate was 93.3%(83/89)after operation,95.5%(83/89)in a week,and 100% more than three months.The complications,such as the rupture or transportation of ASD and thrombosis,were not observed in follow-up studies.Conclusions:Both primarily screening of cases and the selection of ASD with suitable size play key roles for successful application of Amplatzer occluder under TTE guidance for the operation treatment of secundum atrial septal defect.Furthermore,TTE is safer and easer to operation than transesophageal echocardiography(TEE),and has important clinical value for post-operative evaluation.