Introduction:

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is one of the most common congenital heart diseases in adult patients.

Objectives:

We evaluated the early and mid-term results of surgical treatment of secundum atrial septal defects in patients with ≥ 40 years in terms of cardiac functions and clinical outcomes.

Method:

Thirty-two patients who had undergone surgical correction for secundum atrial septal defect at the age of 40 years an older were examined. Echocardiographic parameters, cardiac functions and clinical status of all patients were compared before and after the operation to evaluate the efficacy of surgical treatment.

Results:

The patients were followed for an average of 2,2 years (range 3 months - 3,1 years). There was no mortality in the postoperative period. In the early follow-up, there was no cerebrovascular thromboembolic event, functional capacities of the patients improved. No new atrial fibrillation occurred. Right atrial and ventricle diameters, and pulmonary artery pressures were significantly reduced, while ejection fractions did not change. The need for diuretic therapy was reduced after surgical treatment. No residual intracardiac shunt was detected during follow-up.

Conclusions:

Surgical closure of atrial septal defects in adult patients over the age of 40 can improve cardiac function by echocardiography and reduce clinical complaints. Even if no intervention is made in such patients, the current complaints are scarce and life-threatening problems are rarely seen in hemodynamic parameters. However, surgical repair should be performed as soon as possible, especially when detected in adult patients.

        · resumen en Español     · texto en Español     · Español ( pdf ) | Inglés ( pdf )