Atrial septostomy with a predefined diameter using a novel occlutech atrial flow regulator improves symptoms and cardiac index in patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension

Abstract Objectives A novel Occlutech atrial flow regulator (AFR) implantation gives an atrial septal predefined predictable fenestration. Background Atrial septostomy relieves syncope in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by improving left heart filling, cardiac output and systemic oxygen transport despite hypoxia. Symptoms recur when small fenestrations close spontaneously. Methods AFR was implanted after informed consent in patients with severe PAH presenting with syncope and right heart failure. Symptoms, hemodynamics, echocardiographic parameters, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and device patency were serially documented. Results Twelve patients aged 28.3 ± 8.5 years with severe PAH underwent AFR implantation. All procedures were successful without any major complications. All patients had relief of syncope and 6‐min walk distance improved significantly from 377.3 ± 33.2 to 423 ± 31.32 m. The cardiac index (2.36 ± 0.52 to 2.89 ± 0.56 L/min/m 2 ) and systemic oxygen transport (367.5 ± 75.5 to 428.0 ± 67.1 ml/min/m 2 ) also showed a significant improvement. Inferior caval vein congestion and pericardial effusion reduced due to improvement in heart failure, but other echocardiographic parameters of right ventricular function did not show significant change. The reduction in BNP levels too did not reach statistical significance. The device was patent in all patients at a median follow‐up of 189 days (range 10–296 days) resulting in a significant reduction of oxygen saturations from 98 ± 0.18 to 85.26 ± 2.86% after exercise. Conclusions AFR implantation was feasible and safe in all patients with PAH. There was a significant improvement of symptoms, six‐minute walk distance, cardiac index and systemic oxygen transport. The device maintained patency in short‐term follow‐up and the resultant hypoxia was tolerated well.