Ultrasonic examination and management of adult atrial septal aneurysm / 中华健康管理学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the ultrasonography and classification management strategy for adult atrial septal aneurysm (ASA).Methods:Of 138 patients diagnosed with ASA by the transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), in No.83 Army Hospital and No.988 Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force from January 2015 to October 2019, 103 underwent the transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), and all were examined by the right heart contrast transthoracic echocardiography (cTTE). According to the semi-quantitative method, the shunt was graded, classified, and managed through follow-up or surgical treatment.Results:In the resting state, among 138 patients, 26 cases were detected by TTE as ASA with patent foramen ovale (PFO), showing left-to-right shunt. Among 112 patients with no shunt detected by TTE, 103 cases underwent TEE, of whom 44 cases had PFO and left-to-right shunt. The detection rate of PFO shunt by TEE was significantly higher than that of TTE (42.72% vs 18.84%, P<0.001). Out of the 138 patients who underwent cTTE, 96 cases had different degrees of right-to-left shunt. According to the semi-quantitative standard, there were 15 cases of grade Ⅰ, 28 cases of grade Ⅱ, and 53 cases of grade Ⅲ. The detection rate of cTTE was significantly higher than that of TTE and TEE (69.56% vs 18.84% and 42.72%, both P<0.001). Among these 96 patients with right-to-left shunt detected by cTTE, 52 cases (54.17%) were clinically diagnosed as cryptogenic stroke, with right-to-left shunt in 6 cases of grade Ⅰ, 12 cases of grade Ⅱ, and 34 cases of grade Ⅲ. The number of new infarcts in patients with grade Ⅱ or Ⅲ shunts who received PFO closure via catheter was significantly lower than that of patients who did not receive closure therapy (0 vs 27.27%, P=0.011). Conclusion:ASA combined with PFO and right-to-left shunts were detected more frequently by ultrasonography combined with cTTE in adults, this helps to formulate a reasonable management strategy.