Structured Abstract
Background
According to 2018 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines, atrial septal defect (ASD) closure can be performed during pregnancy but is rarely indicated. In this case, we demonstrate the viability of percutaneous balloon-assisted ASD closure without fluoroscopy in a pregnant woman.
Case summary
A 23-year-old G3P2A0 woman who was 20 weeks pregnant had primary complaints of breathlessness (New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA) fc III-IV for one week prior to admission. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed dilatation of right atrium, dilated right ventricle, dilated main pulmonary artery (28.1 mm), and an oval-shaped 22x33 mm-sized secundum ASD with left-to-right (L-to-R) shunt. Despite optimal pharmacological treatment, the NYHA fc did not improve. Under transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) monitoring only, we introduced a 40 mm CeraTM ASD Occluder (Lifetech, China) via the delivery sheath. The device was deployed as usual, however despite numerous placement adjustments, the LA disc keeps being dislodged to RA and could not engage correctly. Therefore, we decided to use balloon-assisted approach using sizing balloon No.34 mm. The device was successfully positioned, a wiggle test was conducted to make sure the device was stable. The patient was able to give birth to the child normally several months later.
Discussion
Despite the fact that pregnant women with ASD receive a very low dose of radiation, it is nevertheless recommended to avoid radiation because this demographic is particularly vulnerable to it. It is possible to treat large ASD in pregnant women with a successful balloon-assisted approach.