Comparison between transcatheter and surgical closure of secundum atrial septal defect in children and adults: Results of a multicenter nonrandomized trial

Objectives This study sought to compare the safety, efficacy and clinical utility of the Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO) for closure of secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) with surgical closure. Background The clinical utility of a device such as the ASO can only be judged against the results of contemporaneous surgery. Methods A multicenter, nonrandomized concurrent study was performed in 29 pediatric cardiology centers from March 1998 to March 2000. The patients were assigned to either the device or surgical closure group according to the patients’ option. Baseline physical exams and echocardiography were performed preprocedure and at follow-up (6 and 12 months for device group, 12 months for surgical group). Results A total of 442 patients were in the group undergoing device closure, whereas 154 patients were in the surgical group. The median age was 9.8 years for the device group and 4.1 years for the surgical group (p < 0.001). In the device group, 395 (89.4%) patients had a single ASD; in the surgical group, 124 (80.5%) (p = 0.008) had a single ASD. The size of the primary ASD was 13.3 ± 5.4 mm for the device group and 14.2 ± 6.3 mm for the surgery group (p = 0.099). The procedural attempt success rate was 95.7% for the device group and 100% for the surgical group (p = 0.006). The early, primary and secondary efficacy success rates were 94.8%, 98.5% and 91.6%, respectively, for the device group, and 96.1%, 100% and 89.0% for the surgical group (all p > 0.05). The complication rate was 7.2% for the device group and 24.0% for the surgical group (p < 0.001). The mean length of hospital stay was 1.0 ± 0.3 day for the device group and 3.4 ± 1.2 days for the surgical group (p < 0.001). Mortality was 0% for both groups. Conclusions The early, primary and secondary efficacy success rates for surgical versus. device closure of ASD were not statistically different; however, the complication rate was lower and the length of hospital stay was shorter for device closure than for surgical repair. Appropriate patient selection is an important factor for successful device closure. Transcatheter closure of secundum ASD using the ASO is a safe and effective alternative to surgical repair.