Long-term monitoring of heart rhythm disorders in patients after transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale – pilot project
Abstract
Introduction: Transcatheter closure is the standard of care for secundum atrial septal defect (ASD II) and patent foramen ovale (PFO). In the literature, there is a lot of information regarding the incidence of arrhythmias related with these two procedures, but on the other hand there is very little known about the contribution of these methods for long-term monitoring of ECG.
Goal: To monitor heart rhythm and ascertain the incidence of arrhythmias in patients after percutaneous closure of ASD II and PFO with the Amplatzer occluder, using methods for long-term monitoring of ECG. Methods: Our group enrolled 9 patients who underwent closure of an ASD II (two patients) and PFO (seven patients).
Follow up period was 13 months, during which we performed standard 12-lead ECG (4 ×), periodical 7-day ambulatory Holter monitoring ECG (3 ×) as well as a daily transtelephonic ECG monitoring (minimum once daily or in the event of symptoms). Results: 7 patients (all with PFO) had no arrhythmias whereas in 2 patients (both with ASD II.) asymptomatic atrial fibrillation was recorded.
Conclusion: Despite low numbers of patients in our group unexpected asymptomatic atrial fibrillation was recorded, which raised the question about possible anticoagulant treatment. Further similar studies with patients after transcatheter closure of ASD II should bring new information with valuable practical and clinical contributions