Changes of Cardiac Rhythm after Closure of Secundum Atrial Septal Defect in Children

Background: Arrhythmias may complicate congenital heart diseases, such as secundum atrial septal defects. We aimed at following up the rhythm changes in children after closure of ostiumsecundum atrial septal defects.

Methods: The current study was conducted in the Pediatric Cardiology Unit, Tanta University, on 60 pediatric patients who had undergone either trans-catheter or surgical closure of secundum atrial septal defects. Complete history taking and full clinical assessment were done. Echocardiographic assessment was performed to detect any residual defects, and assess chamber dimensions, and cardiac functions. Electrocardiographic assessment including Holter monitoring was performed within two months after the procedure, after six months, and after one year. Arrhythmias were classified into major and minor types. All results were statistically analyzed and tabulated.

Results: There were no significant differences between the pre-closure rhythm and the rhythm after closure of the defects throughout the follow-up. The percentage of patients with major arrhythmias has increased from 6.7% of the total sample to 13.3%, 11.6%, and 11.6% in the early, midterm and late follow up respectively. The significant risk factors for postoperative arrhythmias were; pre-closure arrhythmia, right atrial dilatation, and serious hemodynamic instability in the early follow up.

Conclusions: We concluded that arrhythmias were common before and after atrial septal defect closure, without significant differences. Pre-closure arrhythmia, right atrial dilatation, and serious hemodynamic instability are considered important risk factors of arrhythmias after secundum atrial septal defect’s closure in pediatric patients.