Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect under the guidance of two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography

Objective To explore the feasibility of transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) under the guidance of two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D-TTE).Methods The study involved 40 patients diagnosed as ASD by TTE.The mean age of the patients was (7.25 ± 3.96)years,and the mean weights was (22.32 ± 8.30)kg.The mean diameters of ASD was (11.37 ± 3.61)mm.The patients underwent local or basal anesthesia.The transcatheter closure of ASD were performed under the guidance of 2D-TTE.The patients underwent follow-up echocardiography at one and three months after surgery.Results Closure devices were successfully implanted in 37 patients under 2D-TTE guidance.The procedure was simply and safe.In 3 patients,the procedure was monitored by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) after tracheal intubation,instead of 2D-TTE,because the 2D-TTE images were not clear.During the followup,no severe complication such as valvular injury,pericardial effusion,residual shunt,and peripheral vascular injury occurred.Conclusions Transcatheter closure of ASD under 2D-TTE guidance provides a feasibility method which not only overcome the damage of radiation,but also avoided pains and risks of TEE.The procedure has a broad clinic prospects. Key words: Echocardiography; Atrial septal defect; Transcatheter closure