Why is the doctor performing this procedure?

To close an abnormal hole (called a defect) between two of the heart's chambers. Septal closure is used most often to repair atrial septal defects (ASD) and patent foramen ovales  (PFO).

What is the procedure?

There are two techniques to repair a septal defect: the traditional surgical method or a less-invasive, catheter-based approach. The doctor will determine which technique is best, depending upon the severity and type of defect.

Septal Closure utilizing the catheter-based technique allows minimally invasive closure of an atrial septal defect (ASD), a patent foramen ovale (PFO) or a ventricular septal defect (VSD). A balloon-tipped catheter is inserted first into an artery, usually in the groin (the femoral artery). It is advanced to the right side of the heart and positioned with the defect. The balloon is inflated and deflated, producing an indentation to accurately measure the size and shape of the defect. The balloon catheter is removed, and then another catheter with the septal closure device attached is advanced to the right side of the heart. Once properly positioned within the defect, an umbrella-like device is opened within the heart's chambers, first in the left atrium (or ventricle) and then in the right atrium (or ventricle). The umbrella seals tightly to the surrounding normal septal tissue, creating a permanent closure of the defect. The catheter is removed, and the septal closure device remains in place.

Closures of ASDs, PFOs, and VSDs are usually performed using ultrasound catheters to visualize and guide the procedure. These catheters are usually placed via a vein in the leg (Intracardiac Echo or ICE) or through the esophagus (Transesophageal Echo or TEE).

Where is the procedure performed?

In the Cardiac Catheterization Lab.

How long does this procedure take?

Septal closure usually takes 1-2 hours.

Surgeries

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
• Bypass Surgery
• Carotid Endarterectomy (CEA)
• Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG)
• Transmyocardial Revascularization (TMR)
• Valve Repair Surgery
• Valve Replacement Surgery

Procedures

• Ablation
• Angiojet Thrombectomy
• Aortagram
• Atherectomy
• Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (AICD or ICD)
• Coil Embolization
• Computed Axial Tomography (CAT or CT)/Ultrafact Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
• Coronary Balloon Angioplasty & Stenting
• Coronary Catheterization
• Dobutamine Stress Echo
• Echocardiography (ECHO)
• Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG)
• Electrophysiology Study (EPS)
• Event Recorder
• Holter Monitoring
• Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) Umbrella Placement
• Intraaortic Balloon Pump
• Intracardiac Ultrasound (ICE)
• Intravascular Ultrasound (ICE)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)/ Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)
• Medicated Stents
• Nuclear Stress Tests
• Pacemakers
• Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA)
• Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)
• Peripheral Stents
• Peripheral Vascular Angiography
• Radiation Brachytherapy
• Septal Closures
• Signal Averaged Electrocardiogram (SAECG)
• Stents
• Stress Echocardiogram
• Stress Test
• Thrombolytic Treatment
• Tilt Table
• Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)
• Valvuloplasty