title: Transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defect using an Amplatzer septal occluder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Amplatzer septal occluder for transcatheter closure in patients with secundum atrial septal defect (ASD II).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with clinically confirmed ASD II were recommended for transcatheter closure of ASD II.
  
  
  RESULTS
  30 ASD II patients (20 females) underwent transcatheter closure at a median age of 18.4 years (5-55 years). Both the stretched diameters of ASDs and the sizes of the devices were from 18 to 34 mm (25 +/- 7 mm). The successful placement rate was 100%. The rest shunt documented by color Doppler, was immediately after implantation in 40% of patients, in 9.9% after 24 hours, and in 3.3% trace at 3 months. No serious complications were observed. There was improvement in symptoms and in cardiac size. Septal motion abnormalities normalized in all patients after 3 months follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Amplatzer septal occluder is a safe and effective device for transcatheter closure of ASD II. Long-term follow-up is still required before widespread clinical use can be recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.
authors.forename: Xiangqing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Kejiang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Di
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Yanhui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Wenzhu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013525:Surgical Instruments