Percutaneous trans-jugular vein closure of atrial septal defect with steerable introducer under echocardiographic guidance.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to discuss a novel surgical approach of percutaneous trans-jugular vein closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) with steerable introducer under echocardiographic guidance. METHODS: From January 2015 to June 2015, ten ASD patients underwent percutaneous trans-jugular vein ASD closure, the occluder placement could be perpendicular to the plane of ASD using the steerable introducer. RESULTS: All cases succeeded. The average procedure time was 27.4±5.6 minutes; and the average intracardiac operation time was 6.7±5.2 minutes. No patient showed the residual shunt after the procedure. There was no clinical death, no arrhythmia, no hemolysis, no infection, no jugular vein damage or occlusion during patients' hospitalization. The post-operation follow up after one month of the operation showed that there was no residual shunt, no falling off or detachment of occluders or other complications. CONCLUSIONS: It is a new surgical method with easy operation, mild damage and wider indication. Compared with the traditional percutaneous and transthoracic closure of ASD, it has obvious advantages.