[Safety and efficacy of percutaneous transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect under transesophageal echocardiography guidance in children]

To assess the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) under transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance in children.The study included 20 cases of patients with ASD. The patients were (4.2 ± 1.2) years old and the mean body weights were (18.2 ± 4.2) kg. The diameter of ASD before closure was (13.4 ± 3.3) mm . All procedures were guided under TEE. Procedure success was evaluated by TEE immediately after procedure.Closure devices were successfully implanted in all 20 patients under TEE guidance. The diameter of closure devices was 14-26 mm. There were no procedure related complications. The ventilation time was (2.9 ± 0.8)h and the hospitalization time was (3.2 ± 0.7) days.TEE guided percutaneous transcatheter closure is safe and effective for patients with ASD and avoids the radiation damages.