Patients with ASD had a higher risk of first-time AF after closure than the comparison cohort. There was no effect of closure on the use of AF-related medicine in patients with prevalent AF.

AimsIn this nationwide cohort of atrial septal defect (ASD) patients, the largest to date, we report the longest follow-up time with and without closure in childhood and adulthood compared with a general population cohort.Methods and resultsUsing population-based registries, we included Danish individuals born before 1994 who received an ASD diagnosis between 1959 and 2013. All diagnoses were subsequently validated (n = 2277). Using the Kaplan–Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazards regression adjusted for sex, birth year, and a modified Charlson Comorbidity Index, we compared the mortality of ASD patients with that of a birth year and sex matched general population cohort. The median follow-up from ASD diagnosis was 18.1 years (range 1–53 years). Patients with ASD had a higher mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.5–1.9] compared with the general population cohort. The adjusted HR 30 days after closure was 1.4 (95% CI: 1.2–1.7), and it was 2.4 (95% CI: 2.0–2.9) for patients without closure.ConclusionOverall, ASD patients had a higher long-term mortality than a general population cohort matched on birth year and gender. Our data indicate a lower relative mortality of those ASD patients undergoing closure than the ASD patients not undergoing closure.

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Background: Adults patients with small, unrepaired atrial septal defects (ASD) have higher late mortality than the background population. In this nationwide study, we characterise the late natural history of adults with small, unrepaired ASD. Methods: Using the Danish National Patient Registry, we included all Danish patients, diagnosed between 1953 and 2011 with an unrepaired ASD. Additionally, all patients, aged 18-65, were invited for clinical testing. Patients also completed a general health survey for comparison with the general population. Results: We identified 723 patients with a small unrepaired ASD. Since the time of diagnosis, 182 patients had died, with an average lifespan of 63 years. The most common cause of death was heart failure. Furthermore, ASD patients had a higher burden of chronic disease than the general population (38.2% vs. 26.9%; p=0.005), particularly lung disease (3.6% vs. 0.9%; p=0.008). A total of 153 patients (mean age 32y) underwent additional testing. On echocardiography an open defect was verified in 19.6% (n=30) of the patients, of which half subsequently underwent intervention. Interestingly, 6-minute walking distance was markedly reduced (p<0.0001 compared to normative values) no matter whether the defect was open or closed by echocardiography. Finally, 25.5% of the patients often felt stressed or nervous as compared with 16.3% of the general population (p=0.004). Conclusions: Patients with small, unrepaired ASD in adult life have reduced lifespan, more chronic diseases, impaired submaximal exercise capacity, and higher levels of stress than the general population. The current guidelines for intervention and follow-up may need to be reconsidered.

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Bar removal following the Nuss procedure is a quick and safe operation with very few complications. Occurrence of complications is not dependent on the experience of the surgeon.

A practically feasible long-term porcine model of MVR has been established. Because the pig is superior to other species with respect to anatomical and physiological similarity to humans, we consider this model as an optimal platform for experimental preclinical testing of heart valve prostheses.

The GORE(®) Septal Occluder is an efficient device for closing ASDs up to 15 mm. It is feasible for defects with different anatomy including a deficient aortic rim, septal aneurysm and multiple fenestrations and due to its compliance and conformability it has a presumed low risk of erosion.