Introduction:

Percutaneous closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defects has become an alternative to conventional surgery. Self-centering devices are the ones most used by interventional cardiologists in these cases. The type and rate of complications varies according to the various devices.

Objective:

To report the short-term complications of percutaneous closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defects.

Method:

Between April 2001 and December 2017, 129 patients (mean age: 26; standard deviation: 20.39 years) underwent percutaneous closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defects. Complications were identified and classified as major or minor. Two types of devices were used: the Amplatzer™ Septal Occluder in 98 patients, and the Figulla® Septal Occluder in 31 patients.

Results:

14 patients had minor complications during hospitalization and the first year of follow up (10.85%), and one had a major complication which required elective surgery four months later to remove the misaligned device. Of those who experienced minor complications, two had mild residual shunting, five had intraoperative arrhythmias, one reported chest pain, and six had post-implant migraines.

Conclusions:

This series of patients shows that percutaneous closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defects is a safe and effective procedure in carefully selected cases. Early diagnosis and treatment are needed to decrease the rate of complications, along with adherence to the selection criteria according to the morphology of the ostium secundum atrial septal defect. Antiplatelet prophylaxis with clopidogrel for all patients requires further study.

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