[Non-surgical repair of atrial septal defect by "buttoned" double disk device in children. First results in 3 children].

Transcatheter closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) with a "buttoned" double-disk device was attempted in 5 children aged 14 months to 12 years, with success in 3 cases. The diameter of the ASD was 15 to 20 mm. The occluding devices were chosen with sizes 12-15 mm greater than those of the ASDs. There were no operative complications: the ASD was practically completely occluded in 2 children and left a very small shunt in a third case. Those three patients are doing well, 8 to 9 months after the procedure. In the other two cases, the device fell into the right atrium and had to be removed surgically without any complications. The "buttoned" double-disk device seems to be relatively simple and easy to insert through an 8F catheter. Additional technical improvements should enable more complete occlusion of ASD and easier retrieval by the transvenous route when incorrectly inserted. Further experimental and clinical studies are required to assess the results and to compare them with those of the other teams.