Natural history of atrial septal defect in the sixth decade : Study of 5 cases

Abstract

aim: Atrial septal defect (ASD) is one of the most common causes of congenital heart disease manifested in adulthood.
Aim: To describe clinical and likelihood picture of adults over 60 years born with an ASD type II.
methods: We performed a retrospective study of adult’sASD referred toourinstitutionfrom 1985 through 2010. Clinical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and hemodynamic data were reviewed. On follow up study, patients were investigated by echocardiography, ECG and assessed for quality of life by a questionnaire
results: Among forty ASD type II manifested in adulthood which were referred to our department of cardiology five cases of ASD manifested in the sixth decades (2 men and 3 women). Complaints were dyspnea and palpitations in 4 cases and chest pain in only one patient. Slight anterior chest deformity was present in the older patient. Systolic murmur was found in the 3rd left intercostals space and the pulmonary second heart sound was accentuated in all patients. Complete right bundle branch block and right ventricular hypertrophy were found in all cases. Three patients presented atrial fibrillation. There was marked cardiomegaly in four patients. The pulmonary arteries were markedly enlarged and the peripheral vascular markings were increased. Echocardiographic data revealed large secundum ASD (mean 20 mm, ranged between 10 and 30mm), severe systolic pulmonary pressure in two cases (>5O mmhg). MeanQP/QS was 2.2 and contrast revealed bidirectional shunt in one patient. All patients were studied by venous cardiac catheterization. They showed a significant increase in the oxygen content of right atrial blood. Three patients underwent surgical atrial septal defect closure under general anesthesia. There were no operative or peri operative deaths. At mean follow up of 50±75 months, there was one late death from heart failure in a patient with advanced preoperative heart failure. The oldest patient is in the medical group and he is 75years old. Most survival patients remain in good clinical condition. Some of them were symptomatic at the last follow up and complained of shortness of breath on effort and palpitations in two cases. Two patients were in chronic atrial fibrillation developed during follow up. However, chest RX showed reduction in cardiothoracic ratio postoperatively. Echocardiographic examination confirmed that there was no residual shunt in across the atrial septum in any patient. Systolic pulmonary pressure felled only in 2 patients in the surgery group.
Conclusion: To our knowledge, thesepatients havealongue life span, although survivors with ASD described in the world. There is a lack of evidence regarding treatment options for adults with an ASD aged more than 60years. Given the higher risks of surgery in advanced age, the defect should be repaired as early as possible to prevent hemodynamic complications.