Symptomatic atrial arrhythmias and transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects in adult patients.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether transcatheter device closure of a secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) will reduce the risk of developing subsequent atrial arrhythmias.

DESIGN

The incidence and predictors of symptomatic atrial tachyarrhythmias (AT) were examined in adults undergoing transcatheter closure of ASDs.

SETTING

Toronto Congenital Cardiac Centre for Adults.

PATIENTS

132 consecutive patients, mean (SD) age 44 (16) years; 74% female.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Sustained or symptomatic atrial arrhythmias at early follow up (six weeks; n = 115) and intermediate follow up (last clinic visit 17 (11) months post surgery; n = 121).

RESULTS

15% of the patients (20 of 132) had AT before the procedure (14 paroxysmal, six persistent). Patients without a history of arrhythmia had a low incidence of AT during early follow up (6%) and intermediate follow up (1%/year), while all patients with persistent AT before closure remained in atrial fibrillation or flutter. Of patients in sinus rhythm but with a previous history of AT, two thirds remained arrhythmia-free at follow up, with overall incidences of paroxysmal and persistent AT of 17%/year and 11%/year. A history of AT before closure (risk ratio (RR) 35.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.2 to 169.0) and age > or = 55 years at the time of device insertion (RR 5.6, 95% CI 1.2 to 25.0) predicted AT after closure.

CONCLUSIONS

Device closure of an ASD before the onset of atrial arrhythmias may protect against the subsequent development of arrhythmia, in particular in patients less than 55 years of age.