title: Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects.
abstract: Until recently, surgical repair was the standard treatment for an ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD), a common congenital heart defect. Closing ASDs using a device inserted via a catheter now offers another option for some patients. Limited comparative data indicate that newer approaches to transcatheter repair have a higher failure rate than that for surgery, but short-term complication rates are lower. Evidence from long-term follow-up of patients with device closure of ASDs is not yet available. Equipment and procedure costs may be higher for transcatheter closure than for surgery, but overall costs may be reduced through avoiding intensive care unit costs and through shorter hospital stays.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hailey
authors.forename: Leigh-Ann
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Topfer
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D018795:Device Approval; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration