Transcatheter closure of secundum atrial defect in small children

Objective: To assess safety and efficacy of transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) closure in small children. Background: Percutaneous closure of ASD is a well accepted alternative to surgery. Reported experience in small children remains, however, scarce. Methods: Fifty-two children underwent percutaneous ASD closure at a weight 15 mm) but not in smaller babies (<10 kg). Conclusion: Patients <= 15 kg requiring ASD closure form a special population with high incidence of associated anomalies and medical conditions. For this particular set of patients, percutaneous closure is a valid alternative. Asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic children should be treated at a later age