Closure of secundum atrial septal defect in adults.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the outcome of ASD closure in adults and the effect of patient's age on drug therapy, symptoms and incidence of atrial fibrillation.


METHODS
A follow-up study.


METHODS
University Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, G31 2ER during the period 1989-1999. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Follow-up analysis of 61 adult patients (39 women) operated between 1989 and 1999 for the repair of secundum atrial septal defects.


RESULTS
There were no deaths. Five patients from early in the series were lost to follow-up. Large defect size was associated with patch rather than direct closure but there was extensive crossover. Analysis by age showed that patients over 49 had more postoperative atrial fibrillation (P=0.001), more chest pain (P< 0.0001), more postoperative dyspnea (p=0.021), greater use of diuretics (p=0.020) and longer hospital stay (10.1 + 2.6 vs 8.5 + 1.6 days; p=0.007) than patients under 49.


CONCLUSIONS
Operation for atrial septal defects in adults can be performed with no mortality and low morbidity. The age at which complications appear more frequent suggests that closer analysis of these patients is required.
Elahi
Maqsood M
MM
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER, UK. manzoor_elahi@hotmail.com
Belcher
Philip R
PR
Pollock
James C S
JC
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006334:Heart Function Tests; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011336:Probability; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom