Comparison of Transcatheter Atrial Septal Defect Closure Between Children Weighing Less Than 15 kg and Children Weighing 15 to 20 kg

Background: We investigated the safety, efficacy, and follow-up results of the transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defects (ASDs) in children weighing less than 15 kg compared with children weighing between 15 and 20 kg. Methods: During the study, 274 children weighing less than 20 kg underwent transcatheter closure. The patients were divided into 2 groups: Group I comprised 146 patients (53.3%) weighing 15 kg or less and Group II consisted of 128 patients (46.7%) weighing between 15 and 20 kg. Data were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The mean age and weight of the children were 4.3 +/- 1.3 years and 15.2 +/- 2.4 kg. Totally, 269 interventional operations (98.2%) were considered successful. Major complications occurred in 7 patients (2.5%). The stretched ASD diameter was 14.7 +/- 3.9 (7-29) mm in Group I and 15.9 +/- 4.7 (7.8-28) in Group II (P =0.063). The defect diameter/body weight was 0.9 +/- 0.2 (0.4-1.8) in Group I and 0.8 +/- 0.2 (0.4-1.5) in Group II (P =0.001). The Amplatzer-like device diameter was 16.0 +/- 4.1 (9-30) mm in Group I and 17.7 +/- 5.0 (9-34) mm in Group II (P =0.004). The patch-like device diameter was 28.8 +/- 4.6 (20-35) mm in Group I and 29.4 +/- 4.1 (20-33) in Group II (P =0.716). The size of the delivery sheath was 8.4 +/- 1.4 (6-12) F in Group I and 8.8 +/- 1.5 (6-12) F in Group II (P =0.039). There were no statistically significant differences in the rates of unsuccessful procedures and complications between the patient groups (P =0.762 and P =0.836, correspondingly). Conclusions: The transcatheter closure of secundum ASDs in small children is feasible and is not associated with a greater risk of significant complications.