Recurrence of cerebrovascular events in young adults with a secundum atrial septal defect

Sjoukje I. Lok, Bjorn Winkens, Konstantinos Dimopoulos, Susan M. Fernandes, Michael A. Gatzoulis, Michael J. Landzberg, Barbara J.M. Mulder*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: The recurrence rate for cerebrovascular ischemic events in patients after a first TIA or CVA with an atrial septal defect type 2 (ASD2) remains unknown. At present, there are no guidelines with respect to appropriate treatment. The aim of this study was to determine incidence rates of recurrent cerebrovascular events in patients with ASD2. Methods: A multicenter, retrospective study was performed at selected centres in The Netherlands, United Kingdom and United States. All patients with ASD2 and a prior cerebrovascular event were identified from available databases. Clinical data were retrieved from medical files, electronic databases and radiographic charts. Results: Fifty-six adult patients born between 1950 and 1990 (median age at first cerebrovascular event 37.5, range 15-53 years) were recruited. Recurrent events (9 TIA, 2 CVA) were recorded in 11 patients (19.6%) during a median follow-up time of 5.3 years (range 0.2-28.9). Nonclosure of the defect was the only significant predictor of a recurrent event (p=0.01). Conclusion: Patients with an ASD2 and a history of a cerebrovascular ischemic event have a substantial risk for recurrent events. Closure of the ASD2 seems to substantially decrease the risk of recurrence. However, prospective randomized trials are needed to confirm our findings.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)44-49
JournalInternational Journal of Cardiology
Volume142
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Jun 2010

Keywords

  • Cerebrovascular events
  • Recurrence
  • Atrial septal defect

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