Aortic Root Geometric and Dynamic Changes After Device Closure of Interatrial Shunts

Mohammad Abdelghani; Martina Nassif; Rianne H A C M de Bruin-Bon; Ali M Al-Amin; Mohammed S El-Baz; Sahar A O El-Shedoudy; Barbara J M Mulder; Robbert J de Winter; Berto J Bouma

doi:10.1016/j.echo.2019.03.022

Aortic Root Geometric and Dynamic Changes After Device Closure of Interatrial Shunts

J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2019 Aug;32(8):1016-1026.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.echo.2019.03.022. Epub 2019 May 17.

Authors

Mohammad Abdelghani¹, Martina Nassif², Rianne H A C M de Bruin-Bon², Ali M Al-Amin³, Mohammed S El-Baz³, Sahar A O El-Shedoudy⁴, Barbara J M Mulder⁵, Robbert J de Winter², Berto J Bouma²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Cardiology, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt. Electronic address: m.abdelghani.nl@gmail.com.
² Department of Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
³ Department of Cardiology, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
⁴ Department of Cardiology, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
⁵ Department of Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

PMID: 31109742
DOI: 10.1016/j.echo.2019.03.022

Abstract

Background: The spatial relationship between atrial septal occluders and the aorta and the subsequent impact on the geometry and mechanics of the aortic root have been underinvestigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate occluder-aorta interaction after device closure of an atrial septal defect (ASD) or a patent foramen ovale (PFO) using three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography.

Methods: In 65 adult patients (mean age, 47 ± 14 years; 71% women) who underwent ASD (n = 35) or PFO (n = 30) closure with the Amplatzer Septal Occluder or Amplatzer PFO Occluder, occluder-aorta contact was evaluated on three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography and defined as continuous, intermittent, or absent. Sinus of Valsalva diameter, height, eccentricity, and strain were measured before and immediately after occluder implantation.

Results: The occluder/total septal length and occluder/body surface area ratios were significantly larger after PFO than after ASD closure. The occluder was in contact with the aorta in 93.8% of cases (ASD, 91.4%; PFO, 96.7%). After ASD closure, occluder-aorta contact was very common, in patients with an aortic rim < 5 mm (100%) and those with an aortic rim ≥ 5 mm (79%). However, continuous occluder-aorta contact was more frequent in those with an aortic rim < 5 mm (95% vs 50%). Factors influencing aortic root strain after occluder implantation included the pattern of occluder-aorta relationship and the occluder/body surface area ratio.

Conclusions: Most interatrial septal occluders are in contact with the aortic root, even in patients with ASDs with a sufficient aortic rim and in patients with PFOs. However, continuous occluder-aorta contact is more likely in patients with ASDs with a deficient aortic rim. The pattern of occluder-aorta relationship and the occluder/body surface area ratio affect aortic root strain.

Keywords: 2D strain; 3D echocardiography; Atrial septal defect; Device erosion; Echocardiography; Patent foramen ovale.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aorta, Thoracic / diagnostic imaging*
Echocardiography
Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional*
Echocardiography, Transesophageal*
Female
Foramen Ovale, Patent / surgery*
Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / surgery*
Humans
Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
Male
Middle Aged
Septal Occluder Device*