The present study evaluated the application of three dimensional echocardigraphy (3DE) in the diagnosis of atrial septal defect (ASD) and the measurement of its size by 3DE and compared the size with surgical findings. Two-dimensional and real-time three dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) was performed in 26 patients with atrial septal defect, and the echocardiographic data were compared with the surgical findings. Significant correlation was found between defect diameter by RT3DE and that measured during surgery (r=0.77, P<0.001). The defect area changed significantly during cardiac cycle. Percentage change in defect size during cardiac cycle ranged from 6%-70%. Our study showed that the size and morphology of atrial septal defect obtained with RT3DE correlate well with surgical findings. Therefore, RT3DE is a feasible and accurate non-invasive imaging tool for assessment of atrial septal size and dynamic changes.
Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial/*diagnosis ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial/*pathology ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial/surgery ; Young Adult

To evaluate the relationship between erythrocyte injury and intracellular calcium ion overload, and the protective effect of propofol on erythrocytes during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). 40 children with congenital heart diseases who underwent surgical repair under CPB were included. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: control group (group C) and propofol group (group P). Anesthesia was maintained in the patients with 6 mg/kg/h propofol in Group P, and those in the Group C inhaled 1%-2% isoflurane. The blood samples were taken before CPB, 30 min after CPB, at the end of CPB, and 2 h and 24 h after CPB to measure the content of erythrocyte intracellular calcium ion (E-Ca2+), Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase and Na+-K+-ATPase activities, index filtration of erythrocytes (IF), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and the concentration of plasma free hemoglobin (F-Hb). Results showed that in the control group, E-Ca2+, IF, MCV and F-Hb were gradually increased and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase and Na+-K+-ATPase activities were decreased. The increase of E-Ca2+ was linearly paralleled to IF, MCV and F-Hb. In propofol group, all the above-mentioned parameters were significantly improved (P<0.05). This study suggests that erythrocyte injury is related to elevation of intracellular calcium during CPB and propofol has a protective effect on erythrocyte injury.
Anesthetics, Intravenous ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Erythrocytes ; drug effects ; pathology ; Female ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Heart Septal Defects ; surgery ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; surgery ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Propofol ; pharmacology ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology

PURPOSE: For the successful completion of transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects with the Amplatzer septal occluder, shape of the defects should be considered prior to selecting the device. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of a transcatheter closure of oval shaped atrial septal defect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From November 2009 until November 2011, cardiac computed tomography was performed on 69 patients who needed a transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect. We defined an oval shaped atrial septal defect as the ratio of the shortest diameter to the longest diameter < or =0.75 measured using computed tomography. A trans-thoracic echocardiogram was performed one day after and six months after. RESULTS: The transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect was performed successfully in 24 patients in the ovoid group and 45 patients in the circular group. There were no serious complications in both groups and the complete closure rate at 6 months later was 92.3% in the ovoid group and 93.1% in the circular group (p>0.05). The differences between the device size to the longest diameter of the defect and the ratios of the device size to the longest diameter were significantly smaller in the ovoid group (1.8+/-2.8 vs. 3.7+/-2.6 and 1.1+/-0.1 vs. 1.2+/-0.2). CONCLUSION: Transcatheter closure of an oval shaped atrial septal defect was found to be safe with the smaller Amplatzer septal occluder device when compared with circular atrial septal defects.
Echocardiography ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial/pathology/*surgery ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Septal Occluder Device/*adverse effects ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

Adolescent ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; pathology

INTRODUCTIONThe device closure of atrial septal defects has evolved over the years. In the early days of transcatheter occlusion, balloon sizing was used to choose an appropriate sized device. We postulate that balloon sizing does not value-add to the procedure and is unnecessary.

MATERIALS AND METHODSPatients who had balloon sizing, with (Group 1, n = 38) or without (Group 2, n = 21) atrial septal defect closure, were compared to another group (Group 3, n = 64) who had atrial septal defect closure without balloon sizing. Although the atrial septal defect size (mm) in those without balloon sizing (Group 3) compared to patients who had balloon sizing (Group 1) (18.3 +/- 5.4 vs 14.8 +/- 5.8; P = 0.021) was larger, the Amplatzer septal occluder size chosen (mm) (21.6 +/- 6.3 vs 21.2 +/- 8.1; P = 0.693) was similar.

RESULTSWe analysed the degree of absolute sizing, defined as [(Balloon or Amplatzer occluder size) - (transoesophageal echocardiography size)], versus relative sizing, which is defined as [(Balloon or Amplatzer occluder size)--(transoesophageal echocardiography size) / (Balloon or Amplatzer occluder size)]. It was evident that there was greater absolute and relative over-sizing (6.3 +/- 4.4 mm vs 4.2 +/- 2.1 mm; P = 0.009 and 28.3 +/- 15.4% vs 20.0 +/- 7.0%; P = 0.001, respectively) in patients with balloon sizing (Group 1) compared to those who did not (Group 3). Even a greater degree of absolute (5.1 +/- 3.9 mm vs 9.5 +/- 4.7 mm; P <0.001) and relative over-sizing (24.8 +/- 15.6% vs 33.0 +/- 13.6%; P = 0.001) was observed in patients who had balloon sizing but there was no closure (Group 2) compared to those who had balloon sizing and closure of their defects (Group 1).

CONCLUSIONOur results showed that balloon sizing tended to over-size the atrial septal defect. This may have an important bearing in selecting a larger device than necessary, or even precluding transcatheter closure of the larger atrial septal defects. It is also associated with increased procedural, fluoroscopy time and cost. We suggest that balloon sizing may no longer be necessary in the protocol of device closure of an atrial septal defect.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cardiac Catheterization ; instrumentation ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Septal Occluder Device ; Young Adult