Neurohormonal and cytokine fluctuations following transcatheter closure for an atrial septal defect

Introduction: Inflammation and neurohormonal activation are considered to be involved in the development of earlier and/or later complications in congenital heart disease patients, even after a successful repair of the lesion. It is not yet clarified what is the role of the therapeutic interventions in the occurrence of such a response and how it could be associated with possible postoperative complications. Aim: We sought to assess the inflammatory and neurohormonal response to transcatheter closure of secundum type atrial septal defects (ASD) over a six-month follow-up period. We also evaluated the association between the respective markers and catheterization data as well as echocardiographic measurements. Methods: Plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-10 (IL-10), N-terminal-proatrial natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP) and N-terminal-probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were assessed and echocardiographic measurements were performed in twenty-eight patients with atrial septal defect prior to, and at the first, second and sixth months post transcatheter closure. Thirty-three age-matched healthy volunteers were also enrolled. Results: IL-6 plasma levels, although higher preoperatively, [physical logarithm (In) IL-6: 3.37 +/- 0.66 vs 2.92 +/- 0.44 pg/ml, p = 0.015], reached control levels postoperatively, at the end of the third month, whereas TNF-alpha, and IL-10 were not influenced by the procedure. NT-proANP levels were elevated preoperatively compared to the control group (In NT-proANP 3.78 +/- 0.572 vs 3.48 +/- 0.30, p = 0.031), with a further significant increase during the 1st month (In NT-proANP 3.78 +/- 0.572 vs 4.2 +/- 0.42, p = 0.006), following the pattern of the left atrial volume enlargement, and remained high even 6 months after the procedure On the other hand, the initially normal concentrations of NT-proBNP, after a transient significant increase during the first month postoperatively (In NT-proBNP 3.56 +/- 0.94 vs 4.58 +/- 0.91, p < 0.0001) returned to the controls' levels at the end of the third month. Preoperative concentrations of NT-proANP positively correlated with NT-proBNP concentrations and pulmonary to systemic flow ratio (QP/Qs). Conclusions: Transcatheter closure could improve, on a mid- term basis, the inflammatory process but natriuretic peptides' secretion continues in parallel with left atrial volume increase. Further follow up is required to determine the long-term progress of the inflammatory and neurohormonal response to the procedure. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.