Transcatheter Atrial Septal Defect Closure under Transthorasic Echocardiography in Children.
OBJECTIVE
Atrial septal defect (ASD) device closure is routinely done under the guide of transesophageal or intracardiac echocardiography which are expensive techniques and not easily affordable in developing countries.


METHODS
Using metallic devices, we attempted 32 ASD device closures under transthoracic echocardiography.


RESULTS
Of those, 30 procedures were successful (94 %). In two patients with relatively large ASD we encountered difficulty in positioning the device. These patients were referred for surgical closure.


CONCLUSIONS
ASD device closure can be carried out successfully in most patients under transthoracic echocardiography in situations where transesophageal or intravenous echocardiographies are not available or affordable.
Department of Pediatrics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ; Children's Medical Center, Pediatric Center of Excellence, Tehran, Iran.
Keyhan Sayadpour
KS
Zanjani
Aliakbar
A
Zeinaloo
Elaheh
E
Malekan-Rad
Abdolrazagh
A
Kiani
Mohammad-Mehdi
MM
Bagheri