NONSURGICAL CLOSURE OF SECUNDUM ATRIAL SE PTAL-DEFECT AND PATENT FORAMEN OVALE

In the past the standard therapy for significant atrial septal defect was surgical closure. In the presence of a patent foramen ovale with o therwise unexplained (cryptogenic) cerebral embolism, the therapy was oral anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy. Surgery was considered o nly in the event of recurrence. Percutaneous transcatheter occlusion o f atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale is a new and valuable alternative to surgical closure. This report presents current knowledg e and our own experience of nonsurgical closure of atrial septal defec ts and patent foramen ovale.