HELEX SEPTAL OCCLUDER: FIRST EXPERIENCE OF CLOSURE OF ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECT IN QATAR

Background: A variety of transcatheier atrial septal defect (ASD) occluders are currently in use, the most commonly used device is the Amplatzer Septal Occluder (ASO) vet there is no perfect device The HELEX Septal Occluder is a new device (by W.L.Gore Associates, Inc) designed to improve the results of transcatheier ASD closure. We report our first experience with this device in closing secundum . ASDs. Methods: Ten patients were done over five days period in the presence of a clinical specialist from the company for guidance Inclusion criteria were: small to moderate Secundum . ASDs (more than 8 mm and considered suitable for surgical closure) with sufficient rims by transthoracic echo (TTE.) and confirmed bv transoesophageal echo (TEE). Two cardiologists carried out the decision of device size. One of the available Helex ASD device sizes was used (15 to 35mm). Follow up TTE was performed the next day, one month and six months later. Results: Sine patients had successful Helex septal occluder implantation. One patient was switched to Cribriform ASD device during the procedure because of failure of the locking mechanism. One patient had trivial residual left to right shunt which disappeared at i month follow up. So embolic event, AV block or mortality was observed. Conclusion: This first experience of our centre with the novel Ilelex septal occ luder showed that it can successfully and safely close secundum ASD. There are several advantages over the currently available devices