Completed atrioventricular block induced by atrial septal defect occluder unfolding: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND

An atrial septal defect is a common condition and accounts for 25% of adult congenital heart diseases. Transcatheter occlusion is a widely used technique for the treatment of secondary aperture-type atrial septal defects (ASDs).

CASE SUMMARY

A 30-year-old female patient was diagnosed with ASD by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) 1 year ago. The electrocardiogram showed a heart rate of 88 beats per minute, normal sinus rhythm, and no change in the ST-T wave. After admission, TTE showed an atrial septal defect with a left-to-right shunt, aortic root short-axis section with an ASD diameter of 8 mm, a parasternal four-chamber section with an ASD diameter of 9 mm, and subxiphoid biatrial section with a diameter of 13 mm. Percutaneous occlusion was proposed. The intraoperative TTE scan showed that the atrial septal defect was oval in shape, was located near the root of the aorta, and had a maximum diameter of 13 mm. A 10-F sheath was placed in the right femoral vein, and a 0.035° hard guidewire was used to establish the transport track between the left pulmonary vein and the inferior vena cava. A shape-memory alloy atrial septal occluder with a waist diameter of 20 mm was placed successfully and located correctly. TTE showed that the double disk unfolded well and that the clamping of the atrial septum was smooth. Immediately after the disc was revealed, electrocardiograph monitoring showed that the ST interval of the inferior leads was prolonged, the P waves and QRS waves were separated, a junctional escape rhythm maintained the heart rate, and the blood pressure began to decrease. After removing the occluder, the elevation in the ST segment returned to normal immediately, and the sinus rhythm returned to average approximately 10 min later. After consulting the patient’s family, we finally decided to withdraw from the operation.

CONCLUSION

Compression of the small coronary artery, which provides an alternative blood supply to the atrioventricular nodule during the operation, leads to the emergence of a complete atrioventricular block.

Key Words: Completed atrioventricular block; Atrial septal defect occluder; Atrial septal defect; Transthoracic echocardiography; Case report

Core Tip: This report introduces a case of complete atrioventricular block caused by atrial septal defect occluder. During the placement of the occluder, a complete atrioventricular block suddenly appeared. Electrocardiograph monitoring showed that the ST interval in the inferior wall lead was prolonged, P wave and QRS complex were separated, the heart rate was maintained by junctional escape rhythm, and the blood pressure began to decrease.

INTRODUCTION

An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a common adult congenital heart disease. Adult patients with atrial septal defects are often associated with pulmonary hypertension. Due to the traditional treatment of surgical trauma, the postoperative recovery is slow, so it is faced with many dilemmas in clinical application. Transcatheter closure of secundum ASD is a widely used technique for the treatment of secundum ASD. Compared with surgery, it is less invasive, has a faster recovery, and has less impact on the physical and mental health of patients. Nowadays, a considerable number of secondary secundum ASDs can be closed by a transcatheter approach, and its application fields are vast. However, despite the low probability of occurrence, there are still some severe complications in percutaneous ASD occlusion. This paper introduces a case of complete atrioventricular block caused by ASD occluder.

CASE PRESENTATION

Chief complaints

A 30-year-old-female patient presented with ASD, which was confirmed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) about 1 year ago without obvious symptoms.

History of present illness

The patient was in good overall health and had normal vital signs.

History of past illness

There is no history of surgery or allergy.

Physical examination

Electrocardiography showed heart rate of 88 bpm, normal sinus rhythm, and no ST-T change.

Laboratory examinations

Blood test is normal.

Imaging examinations

The TTE examination after admittance revealed there was an ASD with left to right shunt with a diameter of 8 mm in aortic root short-axis view, 9 mm in parasternal four-chamber views, and 13 mm in subxiphoid biatrial view.

FINAL DIAGNOSIS

Completed atrioventricular block induced by ASD occluder unfolding.

TREATMENT

The procedure was performed under continuing venous anesthesia [Remifentanil, 0.1 μg/(kg·min)], and monitored by three-dimensional transthoracicechocardiography (3D-TEE). TEE rendered morphology of the ASD as oval, next to the aortic root, and diameter of 13 mm (Figures 1 and 2). A 10-F sheath [SteerEase, Lifetech Scientific (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd, China] was inserted into the right femoral vein, and the delivery track between the left pulmonary vein and the vena cava was established through a 0.035 angled stiff guidewire (Asahi intecc.co., Ltd, Japan). The atrial septal occlusion device based on shape-memory alloys [CeraTM ASD occlude, Lifetech Scientific (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd, China] with a waist diameter of 20 mm was successfully deployed with proper positioning. TEE showed the dual disc unfolding well and clamping atrial septal smoothly. Just after the disc was revealed, the electrocardiograph monitor showed that ST duration elevated in inferior leads and dissociated of the P wave and QRS complex, and the heart rate was maintained by junctional escape rhythm. When we wonder what has happened, the blood pressure began to fall. We gave the patient methylprednisolone (40 mg) intravenous injection immediately and expedited fluid infusion. The situation was not relieved after several minutes of close observation, and then we retrieved the occluder. The elevated ST duration had fallen to a reasonable level, almost at the same time when the occluder retreated. About 10 min later, the sinus rhythm came back (Figure 3).

Figure 1 Transthoracic echocardiography showed secundum atrial septal defect with left to right shunt. A: Aortic root short axis view; B: Parasternal four chamber views; C: Subxiphoid biatrial view.

Figure 2 Three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography showed the atrial septal defect rendered morphology of the atrial septal defect is oval and next to the aortic root.

Figure 3 Electrophysiological map. A: The ST duration elevated when the occluder disc unfolded; B: Completed atrioventricular block; C: The ST duration fell to normal levels, and the atrioventricular block was not recovered when the occluder retreated; D: Sinus rhythm come back about 10 min later.

OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP

According to the response of the patient to the occlusion device, and discussion with the family of the patient, we decided to quit the procedure.

DISCUSSION

An ASD is a common condition, accounting for 25% of adult congenital heart diseases[1]. Adult patients with ASDs are often complicated with pulmonary hypertension[2]. The traditional treatment method is surgery to repair the ASD after cardiopulmonary bypass. The trauma is enormous, and the recovery after surgery is slow but not accepted by the patient. Transcatheter occlusion is a widely used technique for the treatment of secondary aperture-type ASDs[3-6]. Compared with surgery, it is a less invasive method with faster recovery and fewer psychological side effects[7,8].

Today, almost 85%-90% of secondary hole-type ASDs can be closed by the transcatheter approach. However, several limiting factors may have a significant impact on the feasibility and success of percutaneous ASD closure. The limiting factors can be divided into the following categories: (1) Anatomical limitations: Anatomical limitations exist for all available equipment. The devices consist of two discs and a connecting segment, which keeps them together across the ASD. All currently available equipment requires a surrounding wall structure to support its stability. In particular, the diameter of nonself-centering discs should be 1.8 to 2 times the diameter of the defect so that the defect can be completely closed, avoiding misalignment or embolism[9]. The main anatomical limitations of percutaneous ASD occlusion may be insufficient peripheral margins, multiplicity, and excessively dilated atrial septal aneurysms. The main anatomical limitations of percutaneous ASD closure may be insufficient peripheral margins, multiple defects, and over dilated atrial septal aneurysms. This type of limitation is typical for sinus venous ASDs near the openings of the venae cavae. Defects on the surrounding edges may affect the placement of the device[10]; (2) Device-related limitations: In most patients with a secondary ASD, transcatheter closure is the preferred treatment strategy. In rare cases, transcatheter closure of the ASD may cause significant complications, including perforation of the wall, device embolism, and atrial arrhythmia[11-15]. Although these adverse events occur in less than 2% of patients, if a large device is required to close the defect, the incidence of complications may increase. More significant ASDs have less residual tissue and smaller edges, and the use of larger devices may increase the risk of atrial perforation[16]; (3) Related defects and issues related to natural medical history[17]; (4) Physiological restrictions; and (5) Complications[10,16]. Complications may limit the feasibility and success rate of transcatheter closure of the ASD. They include device embolism, a new complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) attack, and myocardial erosion[18]. Occlusion or displacement of the occluder is a common, serious complication of ASD occluders. It is often caused by the occluder being too small, the anatomical location of the lesion being in a difficult location, and the inappropriate determination of indications. Approximately 80% of these complications are caused by insufficient inferior margins.

It has been reported that CAVB occurs sporadically at the time of surgery or a few hours or days later and requires initial steroid therapy. If there is no response, the device is subsequently surgically removed, and the ASD is left open. CAVB is usually thought to be due to compression of the atrioventricular node and inflammatory foreign body reaction or scar formation at the Koch triangle level due to the presence of the device. The risk factors for CAVB after the closure of the ASD include a small posterior margin, the use of excessively large equipment in children, and atrioventricular nodal conduction disorder[19].

CONCLUSION

In this case, the ST-segment elevation of the inferior lead occurred at the exact moment the occluder disc was deployed, followed by a complete atrioventricular block, and blood pressure decreased throughout. All abnormal signals returned to normal after the occluder was removed. Atrioventricular node-compression or inflammatory foreign body reaction is difficult to explain, given no history of atrioventricular block. When we reviewed the literature, we found that a single case of compression of a small coronary artery that provides an alternative blood supply to atrioventricular nodules has been described[20]. If this mechanism does exist, the entire event can be fully explained.