Fate of moderate and large secundum type atrial septal defect associated with isolated coarctation in infants.

A moderate to large secundum atrial septal defect associated with isolated coarctation in infancy is likely to close spontaneously. Nine of 12 defects, including 4 defects > or =8 mm in at least 1 dimension, had either closed or were believed to be hemodynamically insignificant at follow-up, supporting the strategy of a lateral thoracotomy approach to coarctation and deferral of atrial surgery.