ESTIMATION OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IN ADULT PATIENTS OPERATED ON FOR ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECT

One hundred and eight adult patients over 30 years of age who underwent atrial septal defect (ASD) closure were studied for the time of surgical intervention through atrial fibrillation (Af), cardio-thoracic rate (CTR) and clinical symptoms. After leaving the hospital, Af changed to sinus rhythm in four patients, and new Af appeared in four, in whom preoperative left atrial size (mean : 44mm) and CTR (mean : 59%) were significantly larger than those of patients without Af. Subjective symptoms such as numbness of the extremities, arrhythmias and the necessity of medication were more frequent in Af patients than in sinus rhythm patients. Eighty-four % of sinus rhythm patients were in class I according to the NYHA functional classification, while 48% of Af patients remained in class II, post-operatively. Surgical intervention in adult ASD patients should be considered before the appearance of left atrial dilatation.