Cardiac troponin I release after transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects is associated with supraventricular arrhythmias on early follow-up.

INTRODUCTION

Atrial septal defects (ASD) are prevalent congenital heart anomalies found in the adult population. Percutaneous ASD closure has become a routine clinical practice. Elevation of postprocedural transient cardiac biomarkers and exacerbation of supraventricular arrhythmias have been reported in the subject literature.

AIM

To explore the relationship between cardiac troponin I (cTnI) elevation and supraventricular ectopy (SVE) following percutaneous closure of secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) in adult patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

600 consecutive patients who underwent successful transcatheter ASD secundum closure were analyzed. Serum levels of cTnI were measured before and within 72 h of device implantation. 24-hour Holter monitoring was performed before the procedure, at 1 month, and at 6 months of follow-up.

RESULTS

SVE burden increased 1 month after the procedure (median 1021.00; min.-max. 11.00-29 862.00) compared to baseline values (median 146.00; min.-max. 0-1865.00; < 0.01). 61.7% of patients demonstrated a cTnI rise exceeding 50% of the upper reference limit within 24 h of the procedure. A statistically significant positive correlation between SVE burden 1 month after the procedure and periprocedural cTnI increase ( < 0.05, = 0.41) was observed, while cTnI levels significantly correlated with procedure and fluoroscopy time ( < 0.001), device size ( < 0.001) and maximal ASD diameter ( < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant increase of cTnI is noted frequently after transcatheter ASD closure and seems to predict exacerbation in SVE burden on short-term follow up. The independent risk factors of cTnI rise are prolonged procedure duration and larger device sizes.