[Atrial septal defect in adult: usefulness of surgical closure]

The atrial septal defect [ASD] is one of the most common congenital heart diseases in adults. The objective of our study is to determine the value of the surgical closure of ASD in adults. Between January 1990 and December 2006, 87 adult patients underwent surgical closure of ASD. The mean age is 28 years; eighty one patients [93%] were in NYHA class I or II. All patients were operated on with extra corporeal circulation. There were 10% post operative complications, no early or late death. Surgical closure of ASD in adults given good results and in spite of percutaneous procedures progress surgery keeps some specific indications