Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defect in Children: Single-Center Experience, Mid-Term Follow-up Results

OBJECTIVE: Atrial septal defect is a congenital heart disease usually diagnosed in childhood. This study aimed to evaluate the mid-term follow-up results of patients who underwent transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect by comparing the devices and methods used in the procedure and investigating the complications of this procedure in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study evaluated 232 patient files retrospectively. Of the 232 patients, 24 were excluded from the study due to missing files or data. Also, patients with multi-fenestrated atrial septal defect and aneurismatic septal tissue were excluded from the study. The following data were evaluated: follow-up time, patient complaints, symptoms, transthoracic echocardiography, and transesophageal echocardiography findings (if performed), the size of the defect as measured by balloon-sizing, the size of the device used in the procedure, and major and minor complications. RESULTS: The study included 208 children who were diagnosed with atrial septal defect. The mean age of the patients was 88.0 ± 56.5 months. Of the patients, 170 (81.7%) had no complaints. The success rate of the procedure was found to be 95.7%. While device embolization was the most common major complication, arrhythmia was the most common minor complication. The complication rate was statistically different according to the device type used in the procedure. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect is a safe method for atrial septal defect closure in pediatric patients. The study found that defect diameters measured by different methods were not correlated with each other. The procedure complication rates differed according to device type.