Transcatheter Atrial Septal Defect Closure under Transthorasic Echocardiography in Children

Objective: atrial septal defect (asd) device closure is routinely done under the guide of transesophageal or intracardiac echocardiography which are expensive techniques and not easily affordable in developing countries. methods: using metallic devices, we attempted 32 asd device closures under transthoracic echocardiography. findings: of those, 30 procedures were successful (94 %). in two patients with relatively large asd we encountered difficulty in positioning the device. these patients were referred for surgical closure. conclusion: asd device closure can be carried out successfully in most patients under transthoracic echocardiography in situations where transesophageal or intravenous echocardiographies are not available or affordable.