• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.811-816
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• 1995

Repairs of atrial septal defect utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass were performed in 50 adults, ranging age from 16 to 53 years, since April 1986 up to October 1994. They occupied 38.8% of all adult congenital heart disease operated in the same period. Preoperatively, 16 patients were functional class II, 12 patients class III and 4 patients class IV[New York Heart Association Classification , respectively. Five patients combined with atrial fibrillation and the remainders revealed regular sinus rhythm. Cardiac catheterizations were performed in 43 out of 50 patients, and revealed a systolic pulmonary arterial pressure in excess of 51 mmHg in 4 patients but none had reversed shunt. 40 patients[80% were repaired with patch closure and remainings were repaired with direct closure. 49 patients were followed up for 2 months up to 102 months[average 55 months . A comparison of the preoperative and postoperative functional class demonstrated a mean decrease of one NYHA functional level[2.5$\pm$0.63 to 1.4$\pm$0.56 . There was no operative mortality. One patient died during the follow-up period and the death was unrelated to heart disease. Operative treatment is indicated for repair of atrial septal defect with left to right shunt in the adult patient and a considerable clinical improvement can be anticipitated with low mortality.