Abstract: AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter closure for patients with patent dectus arteriosus (PDA) and secundum atrial septal defects (ASD). METHODS: Sixteen patents with PDA (n =7) and ASD (n =9), diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), were treated by transcatheter closure.Amplatzer occluder device was used in the percutaneous procedure under fluoroscopy and TEE.After the procedure, TEE was used to find whether any residual shunt remained.Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), ECG and X-ray examination were applied to evaluate efficacy 24 h, 1mon, 3 mon and 1 year after the procedure. RESULTS: The mean balloon stretched diameter of the ASD was 27.30 ±6.82 (16 -36) mm, and the mean diameter of the occluder selected respectively were (29.33 ±8.12) mm at ASD and (9.71 ±2.93) mm at PDA.The success rate of placement of the occluder was 100 %.No complications occurred during the procedure, and no one needed for emergency surgery.Four cases were found very small residual shunts immediately after the procedure and no residual shunt were found after 24 h.Both pulmonary artery pressure and heart size were improved in 1 mon, 3 mon and 1 year. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter closure of secundum ASD and PDA using the occluder is an efficient microinvasive method for patients in any age.The operation is simple and safe with a high success rate of placement and a good occlusion effect.

Key words: patent dectus arteriosus, atrial septal defects, transcatheter closure