ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECTS OF SECUNDUM TYPE IN PATIENTS LESS THAN 40 YEARS OF AGE. A FOLLOw‐UP STUDY

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The series comprised 479 consecutive patients from Norway operated on in 1955-1976. Only 8% were < 7 yr at surgery. Dominating preoperative symptoms were dyspnea and increased fatigue. The follow-up period ranged from 2-21 yr, mean 10.28 yr. There were 4 early deaths (within 30 days after surgery) and at follow-up a further 5 patients died. Excluding a man who died in a traffic accident the total mortality is 1.7%. Of the 470 surviving patients 81.7% improved, 17% were unchanged and 1.3% deteriorated. In patients with symptoms dyspnea and palpitations were common complaints. Different types of arrhythmia were found in 31 patients. One third were paroxysmal tachy-arrhythmias, and 9 patients had atrial fibrillation. Of the 31 patients 3 had some type of preoperative arrhythmia and 26 were > 20 yr of age at surgery. Seven patients were reoperated because of a residual left to right shunt, 5 of them were initially operated in hypothermia and inflow occlusion. During the follow-up period 10 patients had late cardiovascular disorders.