Both Systemic and Pulmonary Artery Stiffness Predict Ventricular Functional Recovery after Successful Percutaneous Closure of Atrial Septal Defects in Adults

Abstract

Background: Percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) has become the preferred method in treatment of the majority of cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the echocardiographic effects of percutaneous closure of secundum ASD in adults and assess which parameters predict good response to closure. Design: We prospectively included 42 patients with secundum ASD treated successfully with percutaneous device closure. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography examination with tissue Doppler imaging before, 24 hours after and within 3 months of intervention. Measurements of arterial stiffness were carried out using a Mobil-O-Graph arteriography system. Results: Remodeling of heart chambers occurred immediately and persisted at 3 months after ASD closure. Significant decreases were observed in right ventricle (RV) end-diastolic diameter, right atrium volume index, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion both after the procedure and at 3 months (P