Transcatheter closure of atrial septal communication: impact on P-wave dispersion, duration, and arrhythmia in mid-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Atrial septal communications (ASCs) include atrial septal defects (ASDs) and patent foramen ovale (PFO).

AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess P-wave dispersion (PWD) and the prevalence of arrhythmia in patients before and after ASC closure.

METHODS: We analysed the clinical history and performed 12-lead electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and 24-h Holter electrocardiograms in patients with ASC, before and six months after ASC closure.

RESULTS: We included patients with ASD (n = 56) and PFO (n = 73). PWD before percutaneous ASC closure was predicted by right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) proximal diameter, left atrial area, ASD, smoking, and paroxysmal dyspnoea, R2 = 0.67; p < 0.001. RVOT proximal diameter was an independent predictor of PWD, both in patients with ASD and PFO. Six months after successful closure of ASC, a reduction in PWD was observed in the whole group of patients as well as in patients with ASD and PFO considered separately. A decrease in PWD was associated with reduction of maximum P-wave duration. At the same time, in the whole group, we noticed a reduction in the number of supraventricular and ventricular extrasystolic beats and fewer atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes, p < 0.04 for all variables. Postprocedural AF episodes in patients with ASD were predicted by PWD of 80 ms.

CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous closure of ASC is associated with a reduction of PWD and fewer arrhythmia episodes six months after the procedure. PWD predicts AF episodes after ASD closure.