Reinder Evertz1, Charlotte A. Houck2, Tim ten Cate1, Anthonie L. Duijnhouwer1, Rypko Beukema1, Sjoerd Westra1, Kevin Vernooy 1,3, Natasja M. S. de Groot2
Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.6, pp. 1123-1129, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12859
Abstract Background: Patients with an atrial septal defect (ASD) are at increased risk of de‐
veloping atrial fibrillation (AF). Currently percutaneous ASD closure is the preferred
therapeutic strategy and although pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for AF is feasible
after ASD closure, the transseptal puncture can be technically challenging and prob‐
ably increases the perioperative risk. A staged approach, with PVI several months be‐
fore ASD closure, has been recommended for patients already scheduled for closure,
but no data are available on combined procedures.
Purpose: This pilot study evaluates the feasibility of a combined procedure of PVI
and ASD… More >