Minimally invasive procedure safe alternative for treating congenital heart defect, study suggests

Transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defects (ASD), a common congenital heart abnormality in children, is a minimally invasive procedure that is a safe alternative to traditional surgery at long-term follow up. Children undergoing transcatheter closure to treat their ASD experienced a 62 percent reduction in new neurocognitive events, such as stroke or seizures, during a three-year follow-up. Compared with traditional surgery, children who underwent transcatheter closure to treat their ASD experienced shorter hospital stays.

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