Complications and Efficacies of Surgical Versus Transcatheter Closure for Pediatric Ostium Secundum Atrial Septal Defect: A Meta-Analysis

Introduction: The optimal approach for pediatric ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) closure remains uncertain. This study aims to assess complications and efficacies of surgical and transcatheter closures. Methods: Systematic search in Medline, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases identified cohort studies until July 2023. Complications, length of hospital stay, and efficacy outcomes were evaluated. Subgroup analyses considered ethnicity, ASD size, age, and rim deficiency involvement. Results: Fourteen cohort studies involving 9695 patients were comprehensively analyzed. Regarding complications, the pediatric patients in the surgery group exhibited higher occurrences of cardiac arrhythmia (odds ratio [OR]: 1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22–2.87, p=0.004), pericardial effusion (OR: 14.80, 95% CI: 6.97–31.43, p<0.00001), and pulmonary complications (OR: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.73–3.85, p<0.00001) compared with those in the transcatheter group. However, no significant difference in fever incidence was observed (OR: 2.57, 95% CI: 0.90–7.34, p=0.08). Furthermore, length of hospital stay was notably shorter in the pediatric transcatheter group (mean difference [MD]: 4.00, 95% CI: 1.71–6.29, p=0.0006). Regarding efficacies, both groups demonstrated similar rates of successful closure (OR: 1.97, 95% CI: 0.56–6.92, p=0.29) and residual shunting (OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.17–1.77, p=0.31) in the pediatric cohort. Subgroup analyses revealed that surgical residual shunting was notably lower in the European pediatric population (OR: 0.18, 95% CI: 0.07–0.45, p=0.0002), in cases with ASD size exceeding 15 mm (OR: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.08–0.49, p=0.0006), and in pediatric patients younger than 8 years (OR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.12–0.92, p=0.03). Interestingly, residual shunting involving complex ASD with rim deficiency was more pronounced in the surgery group (OR: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.33–5.32, p=0.006). Conclusions: Both surgical and transcatheter closures are equally effective, with transcatheter closure showing significantly fewer complications. Clinical Impact This meta-analysis offers pivotal insights for clinicians grappling with the optimal approach to pediatric ostium secundum ASD closure. The observed higher incidence of cardiac arrhythmias, pericardial effusions, and pulmonary complications in surgical closures underscores the challenges associated with this modality. In contrast, transcatheter closure, with its comparable efficacy and shorter hospital stays, emerges as an appealing and less invasive alternative. These findings equip clinicians with evidence to make informed decisions, optimizing patient outcomes. Subgroup analyses further refine recommendations, emphasizing tailored considerations for European pediatric patients, larger ASDs, and those under 8 years old, ultimately fostering personalized and improved care strategies.