title: Long-term outcome of transcatheter secundum-type atrial septal defect closure using Amplatzer septal occluders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess long-term results of percutaneous closure of secundum-type atrial septal defect (ASD II) using Amplatzer septal occluders (ASO).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Only immediate-, short-, and intermediate-term results of ASO implantation are known so far.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between September 1995 and January 2000, 151 patients underwent a successful percutaneous closure of ASD II in our institution. All were included in the present study and were followed up until September 2004.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This group of patients was followed up from 56 to 108 months (median 78 months). The mean stretched defect diameter was 15.9 +/- 4.8 mm. There were no deaths or significant complications during the study. At three years of follow-up, all defects were completely closed and remained closed thereafter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Since the first human implantations in September 1995, the Amplatzer septal occluder proved as a safe and effective device for percutaneous closure of ASD II.
authors.affiliation: Children's Cardiac Center, University Children's Hospital, Bratislava, Slovakia.
authors.forename: Jozef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Masura
authors.forename: Pavol
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gavora
authors.forename: Tomaz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Podnar
mesh_terms: D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D002648:Child; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D013997:Time Factors