Effect of Transcatheter Atrial Septal Defect Closure in Children on Left Ventricular Diastolic Function

The acute impact of transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) closure on left ventricular (LV) diastolic function was assessed in 15 consecutive children, and pre- and postclosure data were compared with those in a matched group of controls. The data indicate that transcatheter ASD closure leads to an immediate improvement in LV diastolic function as assessed by septal myocardial Doppler tissue imaging and LV inflow velocity propagation. The improvement in LV diastolic properties correlates with the degree of right ventricular volume overload.