ABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The percutaneous transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) is increasingly a widespread alternative to surgical closure. The aim of this study was to assess long-term results of percutaneous closure of secundum-type atrial septal defect (ASDII).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between January 2001 and December 2005, 61 patients underwent a successful percutaneous closure of ASDII; including 25 male and 36 female. All were included in the patient study and were followed up to monitor by electrocardiogram and echocardiography, at intervals of 3 days, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 5 years after operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three days after percutaneous transcatheter septal closure (PTSC), the right atrium diameter, right ventricular end-diastolic left-right diameter and right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV) decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Right ventricular end-diastolic anteroposterior diameter (RVEDD), right ventricular end-systolic volume (RVESV) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) also decreased (P < 0.01). During the period from 3 to 6 months, the size of the right atrium and right ventricle returned to normal range. Three days after PTSC, the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular-systolic volume (LVSV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were significantly increased (P < 0.05). At 1 year, the size of the left atrium, left ventricle and left cardiac function returned to normal range (P < 0.01). There were no deaths or significant complications during the study. At five year follow-up, all defects were completely closed and remained closed thereafter.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Transcatheter closure of ASDII effectively eliminated the abnormal shunt and, subsequently improved the dimensions of each chamber and cardiac function.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Follow-Up Studies , Heart Septal Defects, Atrial , Diagnostic Imaging , General Surgery , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy of combined amiodarone and irbesartan use versus amiodarone alone on maintaining sinus rhythm in rheumatic heart disease patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) post valve replacement and cardioversion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients were randomly divided into amiodarone group (A, n = 31) and amiodarone plus irbesartan group (AI, n = 32) and all patients received Warfarin (INR 2.0 - 3.0). For patients in group A, intravenous amiodarone (600 mg/d) was applied for 10 days and oral amiodarone (200 mg, b.i.d.) was given on the 7th day for 3 days. For patients in group AI, irbesartan (150 mg/d) was added on top of amiodarone at the study begin. Electric cardioversion was performed for patients still with AF on day 10. Amiodarone (200 mg, b.i.d. for 1 week, then 200 mg, q.d. till study end) with or without irbesartan (150 mg/d) was continued thereafter. Patients were followed up for 12 months after sinus rhythm recovery. The primary end points are first recurrence of symptomatic and asymptomatic AF.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twelve months post therapy, number of patients on sinus rhythm was significantly higher (68.7% vs. 41.9%, P<0.05) and left atrium diameter (LAD) was significantly smaller [(48.6 +/- 4.6) mm vs. (51.5 +/- 4.2) mm, P<0.05] in group AI than those in group A. LAD (OR 1.242) and use of irbesartan (OR 0.226) are associated with the AF recurrence.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combined amiodarone and irbesartan use is superior to amiodarone alone for maintaining sinus rhythm in rheumatic heart disease patients with persistent AF post valve replacement and cardioversion.</p>