OCCLUSION OF ATRIAL SEPTAL-DEFECTS WITH A NEW DEVICE

An atrial septum defect was closed with an ASDOS (Babic) occluder in 1 3 patients aged from 22 to 67 years. The diameters of the ASD ranged f rom 12 to 36 mm, the left to right shunt from 35% to 70%. With one exc eption: the occluder could be implanted in all patients. Two patients with an oversized ASD (diameter 31 and 36 mm respectively) had to be o perated after 8 h and 2 weeks, respectively. In one patient, a small a symptomatic hemopericardium was detected after 24 h by routine echocar diogram and in another patient a single umbrella arm fracture was noti ced by routine x-ray 4 months after the implantation. No further compl ications occurred. Follow-up is now 3 months to 1 year. With one excep tion, there was no residual shunt as measured by oximetry.