Transcatheter occlusion of secundum atrial septal defect in elderly patients with pulmonary hypertension

Objective: To evaluate the effect and safety of transcatheter occlusion for secundum atrial septal defect (ASD)in elderly patients with pulmonary hypertension. Methods: Thirty four patients underwent transcatheter occlusion of ASD from January 2002 to December 2006. Fifteen of them aged over 65 and accompanied with pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary hypertension group). All patients received thoracic cardiodynamic ultrasonography and 12 leads ECG before and 1 d, 1 mon, 3 mon, 6 mon, 12 mon after the procedure. Under the guidance of fluoroscopy and transthoracic cardio-ultrasonography, Amplatzer occluders was implanted for the atrial septal defect. Results: The successful rate of placement of the Amplatzer occluder was 100% and no complication was found during the procedure and follow-up period. There were significant differences between pulmonary hypertension group and non-pulmonary hypertension group in age (66.7 ± 5.0y vs 24.1 ± 9.0 y, P<0.001), classification of heart function (NYHA) (2.8 ± 0.7 vs 1.7 ± 0.7, P<0.001), diameter of ASD(30.5 ± 3.2 mm vs 14.2 ± 4.0 mm, P<0.001), size of Amplatzer occluder(35.3 ± 4.5 mm vs 18.2 ± 4.4 mm, P<0.001), systolic pulmonary artery pressure(65.2 ± 11.2 mmHg vs 29.5 ± 3.3 mmHg, P<0.001)and mean pulmonary artery pressure (31.5 ± 4.6 mmHg vs 17.9 ± 1.1 mmHg, P<0.001). After transcatheter closure of ASD, the parameters the systolic pulmonary artery pressure (36.6 ± 11.4 mmHg)and mean pulmonary artery pressure (21.6 ± 4.3 mmHg)decreased significantly in pulmonary hypertension group compared with those before procedure, and the classification of heart function (NYHA)improved (from 2.8 ± 0.7 to 1.8 ± 0.8, P<0.001). Conclusion: Transcatheter occlusion of secundum ASD in elderly patients with pulmonary hypertension is safe and effective. (authors)