Hemodynamic Follow-Up in Adult Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Atrial Septal Defect after Partial Closure

PURPOSE: We evaluated the hemodynamic statuses of patients after partial closure of atrial septal defects with fenestration due to pulmonary hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen adult patients underwent partial atrial septal defect closure and follow-up cardiac catheterization. We analyzed hemodynamic data and clinical parameters before and after closure. RESULTS: The median age at closure was 29 years old. The baseline Qp/Qs was 1.9±0.6. The median interval from the operation to the cardiac catheterization was 27 months. The CT ratio decreased from 0.55±0.07 to 0.48±0.06 (p<0.05). The mean pulmonary arterial pressure decreased from 50.0±11.5 mm Hg to 32.5±14.4 mm Hg (p<0.05), and the pulmonary resistance index decreased from 9.2±3.6 Wood units(*)m(2) to 6.3±3.8 Wood units(*)m(2) (p<0.05). Eleven patients (64.7%) continued to exhibit high pulmonary resistance (over 3.0 Wood units(*)m(2)) after closure. These patients had significantly higher pulmonary resistance indices and mean pulmonary arterial pressures based on oxygen testing before the partial closures (p<0.05). However, no significant predictors of post-closure pulmonary hypertension were identified. CONCLUSION: Despite improvement in symptoms and hemodynamics after partial closure of an atrial septal defect, pulmonary hypertension should be monitored carefully.