OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects on cardiac remodeling post transcatheter closure by Amplatzer septal occluder selected by oval circumference formula in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD).

METHODSA total of 146 patients with ASD (68 males,mean 33.5 years) treated by transcatheter closure with the Amplatzer occluder were enrolled in this study. The diameter of defects was corrected with the oval circumference formula (group A, 73 cases) or by echocardiography (group B, 73 cases). Cardiac remodeling was assessed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) before the procedure, 3 days, 3 months and 6 months after ASD closure.

RESULTSThe mean ASD diameter was similar between the two groups [(20.16 +/- 4.98) mm vs. (21.36 +/- 5.69) mm, P > 0.05] and the mean diameter of the selected occluder of group A was significantly smaller than that in group B [(21.95 +/- 6.78) mm vs. (25.85 +/- 6.75) mm, P < 0.05]. Procedural success rate was identical between the two groups (97.3%) and the defects were completely occluded and there was no residual shunt during the 6 months follow up period, there were also no complications during and after the procedure. The lateral diameter of right atrial (RALD), the diastolic diameter of right ventricle (RVDD), RALD/LALD, RVDD/LVDD and pulmonary diameter (PD) were significantly decreased while the lateral diameter of left atrial (LALD) and left ventricle (LVDD) were significantly increased post ASD closure in both groups. At 6 months follow up, RALD decreased by (18.63 +/- 10.59)% in group A versus (10.14 +/- 6.59)% in group B, LALD increased by (13.42 +/- 8.38)% in group A versus (9.28 +/- 4.95)% in group B and RALD/LALD ratio decreased by (26.35 +/- 11.24)% in group A versus (13.98 +/- 8.96)% in groups B (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONASD occluder selection based on the oval circumferen ce formula is superior to that made by echocardiography in terms of more favorable cardiac remodeling post ASD closure.