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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2007; 55(2): 79-83
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-924483
Original Cardiovascular

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Surgical Closure of Atrial Septal Defect in Patients Older than 30 Years: Risk Factors for Late Death from Arrhythmia or Heart Failure

J. Hörer1 , S. Müller1 , C. Schreiber1 , M. Kostolny1 , J. Cleuziou1 , Z. Prodan1 , K. Holper1 , R. Lange1
  • 1Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, German Heart Center Munich at the Technical University, , Munich, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received Feb 10, 2006

Publication Date:
21 March 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Background: Little is known about prognostic markers for late cardiac-related death after surgical atrial septal defect (ASD) closure in adults. Methods: Long-term follow-up data of 281 patients who underwent surgical secundum ASD closure when they were older than 30 years, were retrospectively examined. Results: Mean age at surgery was 43.8 ± 10.0 years (30 to 76 years). There were 2 early deaths. Mean follow-up was 14.1 ± 8.4 years (0.4 to 28.9 years). Death from arrhythmia or heart failure occurred in 9 patients (3.6 %) at a mean time of 8.5 ± 6.6 years after the operation. Patients > 43 years exhibited significantly higher pulmonary artery pressures. Preoperative systolic pulmonary artery pressure > 36 mmHg, and mean pulmonary artery pressure > 21 mmHg were predictive of late death from arrhythmia or heart failure. However, age at operation was not. Conclusions: Older age at the time of ASD closure is not a risk factor for late death from arrhythmia or heart failure in adults. However, older patients presented more often with pulmonary hypertension. Since elevated pulmonary artery pressure is predictive of late death from arrhythmia or heart failure, timely ASD closure is warranted.

Key words

cardiovascular surgery - atrial septal defect - adult

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MD Jürgen Hörer

Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery
German Heart Center Munich at the Technical University

Lazarettstraße 36

80636 Munich

Germany

Phone: + 49 (0) 89 12 18 41 11

Fax: + 49 (0) 89 12 18 41 23

Email: hoerer@dhm.mhn.de

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