Subsequent shunt closure after targeted medical therapy can be an effective strategy for secundum atrial septal defect with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension: two case reports : strategy for ASD with severe PAH.

Secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) is the most common form of congenital heart disease in adults. Surgical and transcatheter closures of ASD are widely accepted therapeutic approaches. In patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), however, the closure of the defect is still controversial. We report two cases of ASD patients with severe PAH successfully repaired subsequent to effective medical therapy. Subsequent shunt closure after targeted medical therapy can be an effective strategy in selected ASD patients with severe PAH.