Atrial fibrillation and stroke in adult patients with atrial septal defect and the long-term effect of closure

Background

The infarction induced by alcohol septal ablation (ASA) may predispose to arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death (SCD).

Objective

To assess survival, incidence of SCD after ASA and effects of ASA on the traditional risk factors (RFs) for SCD.

Design

An observational cohort-study (follow-up 8.4±4 years).

Setting

A dual-centre cohort.

Patients

470 consecutive patients (age 56±14 years) with...