Per - Catheter closure of an atrium secundum defect - experience with "CardioSeal" and "Angel Wings"

Between July 1996 and July 1998, 34 patients (female n = 16, male n = 18) w ere scheduled for catheter - interventional occlusion (ASDO) of an atrium s eptum defect of secundum type (ASD II). Median age was 7.9 years (2.5-54.6) , weight 23.1 kg (9-97). 9 defects were closed with "Angel Wings" (AW) and 25 ASD occlusions were attempted with "CardioSeal" (CS). 30 patients had si mple ASD II, 3 persisting foramen ovale with suspected paradoxal cerebral e mbolization and 1 significant residual shunt at atrial level after correcti ve heart surgery for interrupted aortic arch type B. ASDO was successful in 31/34 cases (91 %). One CS was removed surgically due to significant left to right shunt after release and two CS devices were withdrawn back into th e sheath. Median ASD diameter was 11.9 mm (6-16), balloon occlusive diamete r was 15 mm (6-20) and median left to right shunt was 40 % (6-64 %). On fol low up minimal left to right shunt was seen in 5/31 patients (16 %). In sel ected patients catheter - interventional ASDO may be a good alternative to surgical ASD closure.