Objectives: To report the availability of percutaneous closure for an adult population with interatrial septal defects.
Methods: Observational study with 66 consecutive patients referred to a tertiary center for evaluation of the possibility of percutaneous closure. The patients were selected initially after review of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and finally after heart catheterization.
Results: Out of 66 patients, 50 were selected after the review of TEE and 38 of them were selected after catheterization; all of the 38 were effectively closed.
Conclusion: Percutaneous closure is possible and can be carried out safely in a majority of the adult population with interatrial shunts.
Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel