Percutaneous Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale and Atrial Septal Defect—Reply

Influence of hospital volume on outcomes of percutaneous atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale closure: A 10‐years us perspective

“…From 2001 through 2005, Opotowsky et al showed that in 8.2% 6 0.8% of admissions sustained a complication, with bleeding complications in 3.4% 6 0.5% of cases and blood transfusions in 1.2% 6 0.3% of cases [13,14]. We report similar individual complication rates however the total complications rate is higher in our study.…”

“…Another important finding was a significant trend toward decline in the total complications rate over the study period (P < 0.001). A larger sample size may have allowed us to notice this trend which was not reported in previous smaller studies [14]. In contrast to previous studies we used an established measure to score co morbidities (CCI) and show that complications rate increases with increasing CCI.…”

“…In addition as noted by Opotowsky et al, these procedures require similar procedural skills and devices [13]. The widespread increasing use of ASD/ PFO closure is concerning because of questionable benefit from the procedure, especially in regards to PFO [14]. Observational studies have shown association of various conditions with PFO such as cryptogenic strokes, migraine, Platypnea-Orthodeoxia syndrome, decompression syndrome, myocardial infarction with normal coronaries, high altitude pulmonary edema and obstructive sleep apnea [15][16][17][18][19][20].…”

“…Using NIS database, Opotowsky et al showed a significant increase in number of annual percutaneous closures of ASD/PFO between the years 1998 and 2004 [14]. We included a total 10 years in the analysis and noted that the utilization of this procedure increased remarkably further beyond 2004.…”

A Patient Undergoing Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy and Atrial Defect Closure Simultaneously: A Case Report

“…Many hospitals now prefer transcatheter closure of secundum defects due to advancements in minimally invasive techniques [22]. Current studies indicate that closure devices for secundum atrial septal defects have a good safety and efficacy profile.…”