Transjugular closure of secundum atrial septal defects

OBJECTIVE: This study reports the results of a steerable delivery system under the guidance of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for the treatment of transjugular closure of secundum atrial septal defects (ASD). METHODS: From July 2015 to May 2016, 33 patients underwent transjugular closure of a secundum ASD under general anesthesia with TEE guidance. The right internal jugular vein was punctured and a FuStar™ steerable sheath was implanted into the right atrium and aligned vertically with the septum, and a closure device was deployed to close the defect. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients with an ASD were successfully occluded; one patient required ASD closure on cardiopulmonary bypass. Procedure time ranged from 5 to 15 (8.2 ± 3.8) min. The length of stay was three to five days after the operation. The follow-up time ranged from 1.1 to 11.0 (5.5 ± 1.5) months. There was no valve regurgitation, no malignant arrhythmias, no device dislocation, or other serious complications. CONCLUSIONS: A steerable delivery system under the guidance of TEE is a safe, effective, and cosmetic method for the transjugular closure of secundum ASDs.