Catheter-based atrial septal defect closure

Abstract

Atrial septal defects (ASDs) are among the most common congenital heart defects in adults. Ostium secundum type ASDs account for 70 % of all defects and the majority are amenable to percutaneous closure. At present, non-secundum ASDs require surgical repair. Echocardiography has emerged as an essential imaging tool to characterize defect anatomy, measure ASD dimensions, identify candidates for percutaneous closure, and facilitate appropriate device selection. Intra-procedural echocardiographic guidance is critical to transcatheter closure. 3D transesophageal echocardiography offers significant advantages over 2-dimensional imaging by providing highly accurate representations of septal defects in the en face views.