The benefit of atrial septal defect closure in elderly patients*

Introduction

Atrial septal defects (ASDs) may not uncommonly remain undiagnosed until adulthood. The most common presenting symptoms at adult age are palpitations and exercise intolerance manifested as either exertional dyspnea or fatigue, which increase with age.^1–3 More serious complications are typically seen in older patients with previously unrecognized ASDs who have been exposed to large left-to-right shunting for a long period.^4,5 Closure of an ASD in patients with a hemodynamically significant shunt has become the standard of care in recent years. Correction of ASDs prevents the development of pulmonary hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, and heart failure.^1–4 The indications for ASD closure in adults, however, are ambiguous. The most controversial issue is selection of candidates for ASD closure who have normal pulmonary artery pressure, absent or negligible clinical symptoms, and are over 40–60 years of age.^5–9 The closure of ASDs in elderly patients remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of transcatheter closure of secundum ASDs in elderly patients.

Patients and methods

Patient population

Of a total of 488 consecutive patients with ASDs who underwent transcatheter closure over a period of 10 years in our department, 75 patients (45 female, 30 male) over 60 years of age with a mean age of 65.3±15.7 (60–75) years were analyzed. All patients had an isolated secundum ASD with a mean left-to-right shunt (ratio of pulmonary to systemic blood flow [Qp:Qs] 2.84±1.9 (1.5–3.9) in echo examination. All those patients had the coexisting impairment of physical status, enlargement of right-heart cavity, or pulmonary hypertension. The major demographic characteristics of patients are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1 Demographic characteristics of patients Note: *Measured on right-heart catheterization – mean pulmonary artery pressure over 25 mmHg.

Protocol

A detailed description of the transcatheter closure technique has been given previously.^4,5 The procedure was performed under local anesthesia. A complete hemodynamic evaluation was performed, as well as right-heart catheterization (measured pulmonary artery pressure and Qp:Qs shunt) and pulmonary arteriography to exclude anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, and coronary angiography. All procedures were performed with continuous transesophageal echocardiographic monitoring. The ASD was sized with a sizing balloon catheter; the stretched diameter of the ASD was defined as the diameter of a balloon that could be withdrawn across the defect with mild resistance and slight deformity. The selected device was either the same size as the stretched diameter or 1 mm larger. When the device was deployed across the defect, its position as well as stability were assessed by fluoroscopy and transesophageal echocardiography. Complete ASD closure was defined as no residual shunt; a color Doppler signal width of less than 1 mm was considered trivial shunting. After the procedure, the patients were treated with 75 mg acetylsalicylic acid and 75 mg clopidogrel once daily for 1 month and then 325 mg acetylsalicylic acid for 11 months to provide antithrombotic protection until full device endothelialization.

The assessment was made in compliance with the following constraints:

• clinical study – within 7 days before the procedure and then at 1, 6, and 12 months after
• transthoracic echocardiographic examination – within 7 days before the procedure and then at 1, 6, and 12 months after
• cardiopulmonary exercise test – within 7 days before the procedure and then at 6 and 12 months after
• quality-of-life measurement – within 7 days before the procedure and then at 12 months after.

Clinical study

The clinical study was based on subjective opinions of the patients concerning their functional capacity. We assessed the frequency of dyspnea incidences and palpitations.

Transthoracic echocardiographic examination

Transthoracic echocardiographic examination was performed using a Toshiba Power Vision (Toshiba, Otawara, Japan) machine with a 5.0 MHz multiplane probe, according to a standard protocol including color flow Doppler data. After a comprehensive echocardiographic study of right ventricular and right atrial major and minor dimensions, left ventricular dimensions were measured in end-diastole. M-mode echocardiography from the parasternal long-axis view was used to measure right ventricular dimensions. The apical four-chamber view was used to measure the right atrial and the right ventricle size. The major axis of right atrium was measured from the tricuspid annulus to the atrial superior wall, and the minor axis was measured perpendicularly to the major axis at half of the length of the latter. Each measurement was averaged from five consecutive cardiac cycles. Two independent cardiologists trained in echocardiography agreed on the measurements. Follow-up included a complete echocardiographic study with a precise location and measurement of any residual shunt as well as positioning of the device.

Cardiopulmonary exercise test

In order to objectively assess the clinical and functional status of the patients in all the cases, we performed cardiopulmonary exercise tests. Maximal cardiopulmonary testing was performed on an ergometer cycle. Peak oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide production, and minute ventilation were measured with a computerized breath-by-breath analyzer (Vmax 29™; CareFusion, San Diego, CA, USA). Patients performed a maximal exercise test using a 1-minute incremental bicycle protocol with a work-rate increment of 10 W/minute. Criteria for test ending were considered patient exhaustion or a respiratory exchange ratio ≥1.09. A 12-lead electrocardiogram was also monitored throughout the study, and cuff blood pressure was determined manually every 2 minutes. Standard equations were used to generate predicted values for baseline spirometric and peak exercise parameters.

Quality of life

This objective study was completed with the subjective opinions of the patients concerning their clinical status. In each case, we assessed quality of life using the Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36). Patients completed the SF-36, the best-known questionnaire in measuring health status. The number “36” refers to 36 questions that concern eight aspects of general health and quality of life, ie, physical function, role – physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social function, role – emotional, and mental health.

Statistical analysis

Continuous data are expressed as means ± standard deviation, and baseline and follow-up were compared with the paired Student t-test. For the comparison of categorical variables, the χ² test was used. The level of statistical significance was two-sided and set at P<0.05. Multivariate analyses, such as multiple forward stepwise regression and canonical correlation, were used to evaluate the parameters affecting improvement of quality of life. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 15.0.0 for Windows (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA).

Results

The devices were successfully implanted in all the subjects, with mean procedure time of 37.7±4.5 (13–59) minutes and mean fluoroscopy time of 11.2±9.9 (6–40) minutes. The defect echo diameter was 17.7±15.8 (12–30) mm. The mean balloon-stretched diameter of ASD was 22.4±7.9 (14–34) mm. The diameter of the implanted devices ranged from 16 to 34 mm. The Amplatzer™ (St Jude Medical, St Paul, MN, USA) ASD-closure device was used in 45 (60%) patients, the StarFlex device (NMT Medical Inc, Boston, MA, USA) in five (6.7%) patients, and the Cardia (Eagan, MN, USA) ASD device in ten (13.3%) patients. There were ten (13.3%) patients with significant coronary problems. Six patients underwent medical therapy, and four patients underwent percutaneous coronary artery intervention using a stent before the transcatheter closure of ASD. There were no serious complications, no deaths, no device embolizations, and no fractures of the device. Minor complications were recorded in ten (13.3%) patients with minor venous access bleeding without transfusion. All the patients remained well with no complications or new symptoms at their 12-month follow-up. No patient had any heart-related hospital admissions. All the patients had a complete 12-month follow-up.

A significant increase in the number of supraventricular (SVE) premature beats/24 hours was noted within 1 month after the procedure. There was a reduction of the number of supraventricular arrhythmias within the follow-up period, so after 12 months of ASD II closure, there were no significant differences from baseline data (223±232 versus 211±230).

Clinical study

Transcatheter closure of secundum ASD created improvement in the clinical status of the patients in the early follow-up. It caused reduction of breathlessness and palpitation as early as a month after the procedure (Figures 1 and 2).

Figure 1 Frequency of dyspnea before and after ASD closure. Abbreviations: ASD, atrial septal defect; NS, not significant.

Figure 2 Frequency of palpitations before and after ASD closure. Abbreviations: ASD, atrial septal defect; NS, not significant.

Transthoracic echocardiographic examination

Directly after the procedure, transthoracic echocardiography showed the residual trivial shunt in seven (9.3%) subjects, which disappeared in all cases within the 6-month follow-up period. As early as 1 month after the procedure, a significant decrease of the right ventricular dimension and the right atrium dimension was observed. All the analyzed dimensions of the right heart decreased in 67 patients (89.3%) (Table 2). The residual patients did not experience changes.

Table 2 Echocardiographic parameters before and after ASD closure Abbreviations: ASD, atrial septal defect; RV, right ventricle; RA, right atrium; LV, left ventricle; EF, ejection fraction; NS, not significant.

Cardiopulmonary exercise tests

Significant improvement of exercise capacity was noted at 6 and 12 months after the procedure. Exercise time within 6 months of ASD closure was longer compared to baseline values, and also oxygen consumption increased (Table 3).

Table 3 Parameters of cardiopulmonary exercise test before and after ASD closure Abbreviations: ASD, atrial septal defect; VO2 peak, peak oxygen consumption; VO2 AT, ventilatory anaerobic threshold; VCO2, production of carbon dioxide; Plus-O2, oxygen pulse; VD/VT, tidal volume; VE/VCO2, ventilatory equivalent for CO2; TAT, time to attain anaerobic treasure; VO2 AT, oxygen consumption in at anaerobic threshold; min, minutes.

Quality of life

Apart from the objective improvement of physical activity in the cardiopulmonary exercise test, the significant improvement in quality of life in patients based on the SF-36 was also noted. Moreover, an advancement of each aspect of quality of life was observed, with the exception of mental health. The mean SF-36 score increased significantly in 66 (88%) patients (46.2±19.1 [5–69]). Total SF-36 scores improved from 20.8 to 61.4 points (Table 4).

Table 4 Results of the SF-36 before and after ASD closure Abbreviations: ASD, atrial septal defect; SF-36, Short Form (36) Health Survey.

The canonical correlation analysis showed that the following parameters had an influence on improvement of total SF-36 score: improvement in cardiopulmonary test (prolonged time of exercise, improvement of maximal oxygen consumption [mL/kg/min]) and reduction in the right heart (right ventricular area [cm²], right arterial area [cm²]); P<0.05.

The multiple forward stepwise regression analysis revealed that all parameters of the echocardiography study and cardiopulmonary exercise test (improvement of maximal oxygen consumption [mL/kg/min], F_7,21=9.2281, P <0.001, standard error 2.220) had a strong influence on improvement of total SF-36 score.

Discussion

Isolated ASDs constitute the second-most common (after bicuspid aortic valve) congenital heart lesion in adults.^1,2 Surgical closure of ASDs has been practiced for about 45 years.^3,4 Since the first attempt in 1976, transcatheter closure of secundum ASDs has evolved over the past three decades.^5–8 Surgical repair of ASDs in patients >60 years of age may result in significant mortality and morbidity. Harjula et al reported an operative mortality rate of 6% and a postoperative morbidity rate of 24% in the form of major complications.⁷ The hospital stay after surgical repair of ASDs in patients >60 years of age ranged from 8 to 20 days (average 11 days).⁷ On the other hand, transcatheter closure of ASD has a low morbidity rate and shorter hospital stays compared to postoperative surgical complications. Morbidity is related to the possible risks of blood transfusions required for surgery, which were not required in our patients undergoing percutaneous ASD closure. However, there have been no reports comparing results, closure rates, morbidity rates, and complications of transcatheter and surgical closure of ASDs at the same institution among patients >60 years of age.

The benefits of transcatheter treatment of congenital heart diseases are obvious. First of all, we can avoid the complications of open heart surgery, especially general anesthesia, which is absolutely crucial in elderly patients. Another benefit is avoidance of a surgical scar (commonly called “scar of the human soul” by psychologists) and shorter hospitalization time.^8,9

Moreover, the closure of ASDs in elderly patients is controversial. Some authors undermine the necessity to correct atrial communications in these cases, based on the argument that the risk involved in the procedure is greater than its benefit.⁹

Based on some analyses, it would be appear that ASDs should be closed when they are identified, irrespective of the patient’s age.^7–11 However, few data are available about the results of this procedure in the elderly population (>60 years of age) with prolonged shunts. An ASD is a congenital heart defect, so if it is diagnosed after the age of 60 years, it is always a question whether the closure is advisable if symptoms are not severe. What is more, symptoms in elderly patients with ASDs are quite common, and can be masked because of the numerous associated diseases.

Transcatheter closure of ASDs is a safe and effective treatment. Over the past few years, an increasing number of elderly patients (age >60 years) have been admitted for transcatheter closure to prevent ongoing congestive heart failure from volume overload.⁹

Our study results demonstrate that device closure of ASDs in the elderly is technically easy, safe, and with minimal complications. We did not encounter any serious complications, such as erosion, device migration, thrombus formation, or embolic events, during the procedure or at follow-up. In our study, supraventricular arrhythmia occurring de novo after device implantation was temporal and disappeared in 1 year’s time. None of the rhythm disorders recorded in our patients had an impact on the postoperative period. No additional hospitalizations or other clinical incidences were associated with arrhythmias.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of transcatheter closure of ASDs in elderly patients. All those patients had a coexisting impairment of physical status, enlargement of the right-heart cavity, or pulmonary hypertension. No major complications occurred during the hospital stay, which is consistent with the reports in the literature.^10–13 All patients survived and remained well, with no complications or new symptoms at their 12-month follow-up. No patient has had any heart-related hospital admissions. All the patients completed 12 months of follow-up. In our opinion, even elderly patients with clinical impairment and right-heart enlargement could benefit from ASD closure.

In our study, closure of the ASD resulted in significant improvement of the clinical status of patients in early follow-up. It caused a reduction of breathlessness and palpitation. There were no patients who had not improved; the improvement was even recognized in the group of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

One of the most difficult problems for the treatment of ASDs in elderly patients is comorbid disease. More than a third of patients have systemic hypertension and other systemic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus or cerebral infarction. Cardiac comorbidities, such as pulmonary hypertension, ventricular dysfunction, atrial arrhythmia, and ischemic heart disease, are known to make transcatheter closure more complicated.^12,13 In our study, ten patients had ischemic heart disease. In four cases, we performed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with stent implantation before ASD closure, and in six patients we applied pharmacological treatment for the ischemic heart disease.

Some reports have documented that substantial reverse remodeling of the heart after closure improves symptoms and functional status.^14–19 However, we found a great reduction in right-heart dimensions after device closure. Nearly all patients showed improvement: reduction of symptoms, an improvement in functional and exertional capacity, and significant hemodynamic improvement. Peak oxygen-consumption numbers at baseline in cardiopulmonary exercise tests were correct, and respiratory exchange ratio values were similar for all observation times; we hypothesized that before ASD closure, patients did not exercise maximally and feared more effort, although they were encouraged to exercise by the practitioner in the same way as after ASD closure.

Quality of life improved, as did exercise capacity. The objective clinical status of the patients (cardiopulmonary exercise tests, echo examination) improved as well as their subjective opinions of their quality of life. Therefore, we believe that it is really worthwhile to close ASDs in elderly patients with coexisting impairment of physical status, enlargement of right-heart cavity, or pulmonary hypertension. Regardless of the patient’s age, clinical improvement is possible. Right-heart remodeling and improvement in quality of life and physical status can occur in those elderly patients. Naturally, each case should be analyzed and qualified individually.

Study limitations

The major limitations of the present study were its nonrandomized nature and the lack of a control group.

Conclusion

Closure of ASDs in elderly patients resulted in significant clinical and hemodynamic improvement after percutaneous treatment, which requires long-term follow-up. Right-heart remodeling can occur in patients >60 years of age.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

* Parts of this paper were published as abstracts during the European Society of Cardiology Congress in 2009 and in 2010.

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