PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - S P Schoen
AU  - T Kittner
AU  - S Bohl
AU  - M U Braun
AU  - G Simonis
AU  - A Schmeisser
AU  - R H Strasser
TI  - Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects improves right ventricular volume, mass, function, pulmonary pressure, and functional class: a magnetic resonance imaging study
AID  - 10.1136/hrt.2005.070060
DP  - 2006 Jun 01
TA  - Heart
PG  - 821--826
VI  - 92
IP  - 6
4099  - http://heart.bmj.com/content/92/6/821.short
4100  - http://heart.bmj.com/content/92/6/821.full
SO  - Heart2006 Jun 01; 92
AB  - Objective: To characterise prospectively by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes in right ventricular (RV) volume, function, and mass after transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) and to evaluate the course of pulmonary pressure and functional class criteria. Methods: In 20 patients with secundum-type ASD and dilated RV diameter, MRI was performed to quantify RV end diastolic (RVEDV) and end systolic volumes (RVESV), RV mass, tricuspid annular diameter, and RV ejection fraction before and 6 and 12 months after transcatheter closure of the ASD. RV systolic pressure was measured during follow up by transthoracic echocardiography. Results: Functional class improved in the majority of patients after ASD closure. RVESV (from 81 (18) ml/m2 to 53 (15) ml/m2, p < 0.001), RVEDV (from 127 (17) ml/m2 to 99 (18) ml/m2, p < 0.001), and RV mass (from 79 (10) g to 63 (8) g, p < 0.01) decreased significantly during follow up, although tricuspid annular diameter did not. RV ejection fraction improved (by 9% compared with baseline, p < 0.05) and RV systolic pressure decreased significantly (from 33 (8) mm Hg to 24 (6) mm Hg, p < 0.001) after closure. Conclusion: MRI studies showed significant improvement of RV volumes, mass, and function after transcatheter closure of ASDs. Restoration of the RV leads to decreased pulmonary pressure resulting in a better functional class in the majority of patients.