Literature contributions of a paediatric cardiologist to adult congenital heart disease - Part I

The author’s contributions with regard to defects in the atrial septum, namely, secundum atrial septal defects (ASDs) and patent foramen ovlae (PFO) will be reviewed. Successful closure with the buttoned device with excellent immediate and follow-up results was demonstrated in patients with 1. ostium secundum ASDs, 2. patent foramen ovale (PFO) presumed to be the seat of paradoxical embolism, 3. residual ASDs/PFOs with right-to-left shunt following prior cardiac surgery, and 4. ASDs/ PFOs resulting in platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome. Also reviewed was why, when and how should ASDs be closed in adults. Since the buttoned device is no longer available for clinical use, now the author utilizes other devices, namely, Amplatzer and Gore Septal occluders instead.