Catheter Management of Atrial Septal Defect

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) is a minimally invasive, catheter-based intervention to eliminate abnormal left-to-right interatrial shunting. The procedure is an alternative to surgical repair in appropriately selected patients, reducing morbidity and facilitating faster recovery. Comprehensive preprocedural evaluation includes transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography and cardiac catheterization to assess defect size, rim adequacy, and pulmonary hemodynamics. Under fluoroscopic and echocardiographic guidance, an occluder device is delivered through femoral venous access and deployed across the septal defect to achieve complete closure. Intra- and periprocedural management requires meticulous attention to anticoagulation, arrhythmia surveillance, and device stability. Postprocedural care involves antiplatelet therapy, echocardiographic follow-up, and prophylaxis for infective endocarditis. When performed in specialized centers, transcatheter ASD closure achieves high success rates and excellent long-term outcomes. Through this educational activity, the learner develops advanced competence in patient selection, imaging interpretation, device sizing, and intraprocedural management for transcatheter ASD closure. The curriculum emphasizes collaboration among clinicians, interventional cardiologists, echocardiographers, anesthesiologists, and catheterization laboratory staff to ensure procedural precision and patient safety. Interprofessional teamwork enhances communication, streamlines decision-making, and reduces complication risk. By integrating evidence-based practices within a coordinated multidisciplinary framework, participants strengthen procedural confidence, optimize postprocedural outcomes, and contribute to safe, patient-centered cardiovascular care.

Credit & MOC Details

Credit information is provided by the course provider. We recommend confirming credit eligibility with the provider or your licensing board before starting the activity.