The authors present their initial experience with the use of Amplatzer septal occluder for transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defect. For patients where the secundum atrial septal defect type is haemodynamically significant or when paradoxical embolization via the defect is suspected, the catheterization technique is an alternative for cardiosurgical correction of the defect. The morphology of the defect which is the basic criterium for indication of a transcatheter closure is evaluated on transoesophageal echocardiographic examination. The closure takes place under skiascopic and transoesophageal echocardiographic control. The procedure in all three patients (2 women--age 58 and 62 years, 1 man--24 years) treated at our department was without complications. Consistent with formerly published data it may be concluded from our initial experience that when all indication criteria are respected the closure of secundum atrial defect by means of Amplatzer septal occluder is a safe technique and a relatively easy operation with a high rate of primary success.

Keywords: Adult; Balloon Occlusion /instrumentation/; Cardiac Catheterization; Echocardiography, Transesophageal; Female; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial /diagnostic imaging/; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Radiography