The amplatzer [corrected] septal occluder as a standard for therapy of secundum-type [corrected] atrial septal defect.

Atrial septal defect (ASD) accounts for 5-10% of congenital heart malformations. An uncorrected ASD may lead to congestive heart failure, severe pulmonary hypertension, or paradoxical arterial embolism with stroke. Transthoracic echocardiography is often diagnostic in the pediatric population, but transesophageal echocardiography may be required in adults. Closure of an ASD traditionally has been performed surgically, but the most common type (secundum ASD) can now be closed with a percutaneously deployed device. We briefly describe the types of ASDs and their diagnosis. Results of percutaneous closure in 74 children and adults are then presented.