-Occlusion of atrial septal defect with a new occlusive device-.

An atrial septum defect was closed with an ASDOS (Babic) occluder in 13 patients aged from 22 to 67 years. The diameters of the ASD ranged from 12 to 36 mm, the left to right shunt from 35% to 70%. With one exception, the occluder could be implanted in all patients. Two patients with an oversized ASD (diameter 31 and 36 mm respectively) had to be operated after 8 h and 2 weeks, respectively. In one patient, a small asymptomatic hemopericardium was detected after 24 h by routine echocardiogram and in another patient a single umbrella arm fracture was noticed by routine x-ray 4 months after the implantation. No further complications occurred. Follow-up is now 3 months to 1 year. With one exception, there was no residual shunt as measured by oximetry.