Search

Background: Given the dearth of data in the existing literature on the size and morphologic variability of secundumtype atrial-septal defect (ASD-II) in adult patients, we aimed to address this issue in a series of consecutive adult patients evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).Methods: A total of 50 patients (68.0% female) with isolated ASD-II underwent TEE for the evaluation of the defect. The morphological characteristics of the defect were evaluated, and the largest defect size was measured. The ASD rim wasdivided into 6 sectors: the superior-anterior, superior-posterior, superior, inferior-anterior, inferior-posterior, and inferior.The minimal length of the defect rims was determined.Results: Mean age at the time of evaluation was 33.62±14.48 years. Mean defect diameter in the all the study patients was 20.80±8.17 mm. Thirteen morphological variations were detected. Deficiency of one rim was detected in 14 (28%) patients,two in 16 (32%), three in 2 (4%), and four in 2 (4%). Deficiency of the superior anterior rim was found in 24% of the patients as the most frequent morphology. There was a significant correlation between the defect size and number of deficient rims (γ=0.558, P value

Background: Given the dearth of data in the existing literature on the size and morphologic variability of secundum-type atrial-septal defect (ASD-II) in adult patients, we aimed to address this issue in a series of consecutive adult patients evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Methods: A total of 50 patients (68.0% female) with isolated ASD-II underwent TEE for the evaluation of the defect. The morphological characteristics of the defect were evaluated, and the largest defect size was measured. The ASD rim was divided into 6 sectors: the superior-anterior, superior-posterior, superior, inferior-anterior, inferior-posterior, and inferior. The minimal length of the defect rims was determined. Results: Mean age at the time of evaluation was 33.62±14.48 years. Mean defect diameter in the all the study patients was 20.80±8.17 mm. Thirteen morphological variations were detected. Deficiency of one rim was detected in 14 (28%) patients, two in 16 (32%), three in 2 (4%), and four in 2 (4%). Deficiency of the superior anterior rim was found in 24% of the patients as the most frequent morphology. There was a significant correlation between the defect size and number of deficient rims (γ=0.558, P-value