Clinical value of real time three-dimensional echocardiography in transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect

Objective:To evaluate the clinical value of real time three-dimensional echocardiography(RT-3DE) in atrial septal defect(ASD) before and after transcatheter closure.Methods:187 patients with ASD were examined by RT-3DE,and the size,position and shape of the defect were analyzed,then the position of the occluder and the distances from aortic value,mitral value and tricuspid value were examined by RT-3DE after occlusion operation.Results:RT-3DE could display the size,position,shape and the surrounding tissues of ASD and their occluders vividly.25 patients had no atrial septal retained of inferior vena cava,distance of defect of 5 patients was over 45 mm,and they had no atrial septal retained of atrial top and inferior vena cava,ASD of 1 patients was cribriform and surgery was carried out.Conclusion:RT-3DE has more advantages than 2D-echocardiography in examining the anatomical position of ASD,observing the shape and structures of occluders after operation and identifying the characters and reasons of remaining blood shunt.