Early and six-month assessment of bi-ventricular functions following surgical closure of atrial septal defect.

BACKGROUND

The effect of surgical closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) on biventricular functions is not well studied. We studied effect of surgical closure of ASD on bi-ventricular functions.

METHODS

Patients undergoing surgical closure of ASD from December 2007 to June 2009 had 3 sequential echocardiograms examination: pre-procedure, post surgery at 1-month and at 6-month of follow up. Pulse Doppler velocities across mitral and tricuspid valves were measured as peak early diastolic (E wave) and peak late diastolic (A wave). Tissue Doppler velocities across lateral wall of both right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) were measured as peak early diastolic (E'), peak late diastolic (A'), and peak systolic (S') wave. Radionuclide angiography was performed to assess RV and LV ejection fraction at baseline and at 1-month follow up.

RESULTS

The mean age of 20 enrolled patients was 21.85 ± 10.9 years; 8 females & 12 males. Trans-tricuspid flow velocities significantly decreased following surgery at one and 6-month (p < 0.005). There was no significant change in trans-mitral flow velocities at one and 6-months. Tricuspid and mitral E/A ratio and E/E' ratio also had an insignificant change following surgery. There was no significant change in LV ejection fraction as assessed by echocardiography (p = 0.132) and radionuclide scan (p = 0.143). Right ventricular ejection fraction had a significant improvement at 1-month of follow up (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a significant improvement in RV systolic function and an insignificant change in RV and LV diastolic functions following surgical closure of ASD.