Usefulness and safety of transesophageal echocardiography guiding transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect

Objective To evaluate the efficiency,safety and complications of transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) under the guidance of transesophageal echocardiography. Methods One hundred and twenty two cases of ASD, 36 male and 86 female, age ranged from 10 65 years old, underwent transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect with CardioSEAL and Amplatzer occluders. All cases were guided by transesophageal echocardiography. Results The diameter of ASD was 7.5 27 (mean 16.5±4.3) mm measured by transthoracic echocardiography, and 6 33 mm (7 cases ≥30 mm) by transesophageal echocardiography. Different degree of dilatation of right atrial and ventricles was observed in all cases. 114 cases were successfully occluded with satisfactory results. No complications occurred. Conclusion Transcatheter closure of ASD can be performed safely and effectively with Amplatzer or CardioSEAL occluders under the guidance of transesophageal or transthoracic echocardiography and X ray monitoring.