Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the clinical data and result between transcatheter closure and surgical repair for the treatments of secundum ASD in patients above 50 years old, and explore the indications for these two methods. Methods: From January 1998 to December 2003, 53 patients with surgical repair and 42 patients with transcatheter closure were enlisted according to the diagnosis of ASD. The ages of all of cases were above 50 years old. The interventional approach was administrated with Amplatzer device. The surgical approach mended the defect directly or with autologous pericardium. These patients were followed up by echocardiography (Echo). The clinical data including the diameter of the right ventricle (RVD), the pulmonic flow velocity, the pulmonary pressure and the tricuspid valve regurgitation. Results: In surgery group, surgical mortality was 1 9% (1/53). Cerebral embolism occurred in 4 (7 5%) patients. Pericardial effusion and other complications occurred in 24.5%. All 42 patients with ASD were effectively closed with Amplatzer occlude. One occluder displaced and moved into pulmonary artery on the fourth day after the treatment. The short term effective rate was 97 6% in transcatheter closure group. The diameter of ASD showed by Echo was significantly less in patients treated with transcatheter closure than that in surgical repair group. The hospitalization time was significantly less in patients treated with transcatheter closure. The follow up data recorded decreased load of right ventricle, the decreased diameter of right ventricle as well as the relief of pulmonary artery hypertension. Conclusion: The data suggested that of surgical approach of ASD has a wider indication for patients in different stages of the disease, whereas surgical morbidity may increase in elderly patients due to their pre existed diseases. However, the transcatheter closure for ASD is feasible for patients with smaller defects.

The volume-time curve change in patients with normal left ventricular (LV) diastolic function and diastolic dysfunction was evaluated by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE). LV diastolic dysfunction was defined by E'0.05). It is concluded that PFR, as a diastolic filling index of RT3DE, can reflect the early diastolic function and serve as a new non-invasive, quick and accurate tool for clinical assessment of LV diastolic function.
Diastole/physiology ; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional/*methods ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/physiopathology ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/*ultrasonography ; Ventricular Function, Left/*physiology

The volume-time curve change in patients with normal left ventricular (LV) diastolic function and diastolic dysfunction was evaluated by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE). LV diastolic dysfunction was defined by E'＜A' in pulse-wave tissue Doppler for inter-ventricular septal (IVS) of mitral annulus. In 24 patients with LV diastolic dysfunction, including 12 patients with delayed relaxation (delayed relaxation group) and 12 patients with pseudo-normal function (pseudo-normal group) and 24 normal volunteers (control group), data of full-volume image were acquired by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography and subjected to volume-time curve analysis. EDV (end-diastolic volume), ESV (end-systolic volume), LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction), PER (peak ejection rate), PFR (peak filling rate) from RT3DE were examined in the three groups. Compared to the control group, PFR (diastolic filling index of RT3DE) was significantly reduced in the delayed relaxation group and pseudo-normal group (P＜0.05). There were no significant differences in EDV, ESV, LVEF, PER (P＞0.05). It is concluded that PFR, as a diastolic filling index of RT3DE, can reflect the early diastolic function and serve as a new non-invasive, quick and accurate tool for clinical assessment of LV diastolic function.

Rats ; Animals ; Astrocytes ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Brain Injuries, Traumatic/metabolism* ; Biological Transport