Name of the Procedure:

Percutaneous Transcatheter Closure of Congenital Interatrial Communication (e.g., Fontan fenestration, atrial septal defect)

Summary

This minimally invasive procedure involves closing a hole in the heart's wall (interatrial septum) using a specialized device. It's performed through a small catheter inserted into a blood vessel, eliminating the need for open-heart surgery.

Purpose

This procedure is used to treat congenital heart defects, specifically an atrial septal defect (ASD) or Fontan fenestration, which is a surgically created hole in the heart. The goal is to improve heart function and prevent complications such as heart failure or stroke.

Indications

• Patients with a diagnosed atrial septal defect.
• Individuals with Fontan fenestration requiring closure.
• Symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, or heart palpitations.
• Risk of complications like heart failure or systemic embolization.

Preparation

• Fasting for 6-8 hours before the procedure.
• Adjustments to medications such as blood thinners.
• Pre-procedure diagnostic tests, including echocardiogram, ECG, and blood tests.

Procedure Description

1. Access: A catheter is inserted through a blood vessel in the groin.
2. Guidance: Using imaging techniques (like fluoroscopy and echocardiography), the catheter is guided to the heart.
3. Closure Device Deployment: A closure device is delivered through the catheter and positioned over the defect.
4. Device Release: The device is released to seal the hole.
5. Verification: Imaging confirms correct placement and function of the device.
6. Completion: The catheter is removed, and a small bandage is applied to the insertion site.

Tools and Equipment:

• Catheters of various sizes.
• Transcatheter closure device (e.g., Amplatzer septal occluder).
• Imaging machines (fluoroscopy, echocardiography).

Anesthesia and Sedation:

• General anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation, depending on the patient's condition and age.

Duration

Typically takes about 1-2 hours.

Setting

Performed in a catheterization laboratory within a hospital.

Personnel

• Interventional cardiologist.
• Anesthesiologist or Nurse anesthetist.
• Cardiac nurses and technologists.
• Echocardiographer for imaging guidance.

Risks and Complications

• Bleeding or infection at the catheter insertion site.
• Device malposition or embolization.
• Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).
• Blood clots or stroke.
• Rarely, damage to the heart or blood vessels.
• Allergic reaction to contrast dye.

Benefits

• Minimally invasive with quicker recovery compared to open-heart surgery.
• Reduces symptoms and improves heart function.
• Decreased risk of heart failure or other complications.
• Often immediate improvement in symptoms.

Recovery

• Monitoring in a recovery area for several hours.
• Limit physical activity for about a week.
• Follow-up appointments to confirm the success of the procedure.
• Medications to prevent blood clots may be prescribed temporarily.

Alternatives

• Surgical closure via open-heart surgery.
• Continued medical management for milder cases.
• Risks and benefits of surgery must be weighed against those of the percutaneous procedure.

Patient Experience

• Mild discomfort at the catheter insertion site for a few days.
• Restrictions on activities to ensure proper healing.
• Pain management typically involves over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Most patients return to normal activities within a week.