Use of pulmonary inhalants remains remarkably high after atrial septal defect closure

Abstract

Background: Post-repair atrial septal defects (ASD) patients are frequently discharged from follow-up, but the extent of pulmonary symptoms long-term post-repair is unknown. Methods and Results: The national CONgenital CORvitia registry was linked to the national Drug Registry to investigate all ambulatory-dispensed pulmonary inhalants for 2006–2014. ASD patients were compared with age-and sex-matched referents from the general population. A total of 1,959 adult patients (age 42±17 years; 66% female; 1,223 [62%] repaired) were included. Compared with the referents, ASD patients had more inhalant use, even at long-term post-repair follow-up (OR=1.81 [95% CI 1.62–2.03]; P<0.001). Conclusions: ASD patients had 2-fold higher inhalant use compared with referents even at long-term post-repair follow-up, suggesting persistent pulmonary functional impairment.