title: Late postoperative follow-up of ostium secundum defect.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To perform late postoperative assessment of patients with ostium secundum defect.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 45 patients 22+/-4 years after operation using clinical examination, transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography and electrocardiography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients operated on at </=24 years had normal exercise tolerance while 11/17 (65%) patients operated on at >24 years reported dyspnoea upon exercise. Mitral regurgitation occurred more frequently in patients operated on at </=24 years than at >24 years (29% vs 69%, P<0.05). Tricuspid regurgitation was mild in 20 patients (45%). There was an inter-atrial communication in 13 patients (28%). Eighteen patients (40%) had an enlarged right ventricular diameter. A tricuspid regurgitation gradient >30 mmHg was measured in seven patients (16%). Seventeen patients (38%) had significant electrocardiographic abnormalities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Late after uncomplicated seclusion of ostium secundum defect patients operated at >24 years have more symptoms than those operated on at an earlier age. Residual lesions are common. Mitral regurgitation is more frequent in patients operated on at >24 years. Our findings support the clinical consensus of operating on these patients in their childhood and adolescence.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome