Surgery>>>>>Congenital Heart Disease
Question 26#

All are true regarding closure of ASDs in adults EXCEPT:

A. Atrial arrhythmias are common postoperatively
B. Postoperative mortality is significantly higher with increasing age
C. Closure of ASDs in patients older than 60 decreases risk of paradoxical embolism, but has little effect on functional status
D. Secundum ASD closure is more commonly performed using transcatheter approach compared with surgical approaches

Correct Answer is C

Comment:

After closure, functional capacity as measured by standardized survey instruments was significantly improved in older patients. Atrial arrhythmias are a common complication of ASDs and are not completely mitigated by closure of the defect, though atrial and right ventricular size decrease. Though adults are subject to more complications during the postoperative period, mortality is extremely low, as it is in children who undergo closure. Recent advances in transcatheter technology have resulted in the majority of secundum defects being repaired using these devices.