ABSTRACT

We aimed to compare 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional measured ostium secundum atrial septal defect sizes without concomitant balloon sizing in this study. Twenty patients (male/femal ratio: 12/8, median age: 26 years) with ostium secundum type atrial septal defect were included. The defect size with largest diameter was measured from the view planes obtained by 2 dimensional transesophageal echocardiography. At the same time the largest defect diameter was measured with a face view obtained by 3 dimensional transesophageal echocardiography. Although there was a statistically significant high correlation between the defect sizes obtained by 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional measurements (r=0.959, p<0.001), the defect size measured by 2 dimensional transesophageal echocardiography was smaller than that measured by 3 dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in 15 out of 20 patients. No leakage flow (residual shunt) was detected in any of the patients after a mean follow up of 9 months. Two dimensional or 3 dimensional transesophageal echocardiography can succesfully be used for determination of the defect size without concomittant use of baloon sizing in percutaneous atrial septal defect closure. However, it should be kept in mind that 2 dimensional echocardiographic measurement may underestimate the defect size.