Atrial function after treatment of atrial septal defects in children under 5 years

Abstract

BackgroundRecently, the patient's age of atrial septal defect (ASD) treatment has been gradually decreasing. However, the most appropriate age and treatment method remain controversial. We hypothesized that treatment of ASDs in patients under 5 years would be able to adequately normalize bi-atrial function over one year after treatment. The purpose of this study is to confirm the normalization of hypothesized atrial function. MethodsData of fifteen patients who underwent surgical ASD closure under 5 years of age (Operation group), 15 patients who underwent percutaneous ASD closure (Device group), and 15 age-and gendermatched normal control patients (Control group) were extracted from our echocardiographic data.Conventional 2D images and 2D speckle tracking method were used to evaluate bi-atrial function. ResultsLeft atrial function, εS, εE, and εA showed no significant differences in the three groups. Indicators representing the right atrial function varied with the three groups. However, there were no significant differences in the global longitudinal strain of the right atrium between the Operation and Device groups. ConclusionsAfter ASD treatment, right atrial function recovery is less than that of the left atrium. The function of the right atrium is not normalized after more than one year of treatment for ASD in patients under 5 years. After ASD treatment, further follow-up of the bi-atrial function is necessary.