Changes of cardiac function after transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect in patients over middle age

Objective To evaluate the changes of cardiac function after the transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD)in patients over 40 years of age.Methods Twenty-one patients were assessed with echocardiography and twelve-lead electrocardiography before the procedure and at 6 months after the operation.The four-chamber heart volumes were calculated with the single-plane area-length method.The QRS duration and PR interval were measured at the electrocardiography speed of 50 milimeter per second.Results The maximum right atrial volume at end systole(RASVmax) and the right ventricular end-diastolic volume(RVEDV) significantly decreased 6 months after the procedure;while the left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV),ejection fraction (LVEF)and fractional shortening(LVFS) increased.Electrocardiographic analysis showed that QRS duration and PR interval declined obviously.Conclusions Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect in patients over 40 years of age can not only decrease the preload of right ventricle,thus improves intra-atrial and intraventricular conduction properties,but also can significantly increase left ventricular systolic function and improve living ability.