Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to identify factors of left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) elevation following transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. Methods and Results: The study involved 97 adult patients with sinus rhythm who underwent both transcatheter ASD closure and transthoracic echocardiography. Elevated LVFP was diagnosed during the first month of follow-up according to the American Society of Echocardiography guidelines: that is, ratio of transmitral early filling to the lateral annular diastolic velocity (lateral E/e') >13 was used to exclude the effect of the device on the atrial septum. Fifteen patients (15.5%) were diagnosed with increased LVFP during the 1-month follow-up period (median lateral E/e': from 9.2, IQR, 6.6-10.8; to 15.5, IQR, 13.8-17.8; P<0.001). Independent predictors of LVFP elevation were left ventricular (LV) relative wall thickness, lateral E/e›, and peak tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient (TRPG) at baseline (OR, 1.67; 95% CI: 1.04-2.69; OR, 1.52; 95% CI: 1.07-2.15; and OR, 1.14; 95% CI: 1.04-1.25; cut-offs: 0.42, 7.5, and 27.0 mmHg, respectively). Median lateral E/e› returned to baseline in most patients with LVFP elevation during 6 months of subsequent follow-up (1-month-6-month follow-up: 15.5, IQR, 13.8-17.8; 11.1, IQR, 8.8-14.8, respectively; P=0.001). Conclusions: The increase in Doppler-estimated LVFP following transcatheter ASD closure may be related to LV hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, and peak TRPG in elderly patients.