Late follow-up after surgical correction of atrial septal defect of the secundum type

From more than 500 survivors of surgery for atrial septal defect of the secundum type (ASD II) operated upon between 1953 and 1965, 50 consecutive patients with an age of less than 6 years at the time of operation and 50 consecutive patients with an age of over 20 years at time of operation were chosen. Minimum follow-up in all cases was 20 years. In the younger age group there was a greater return to normal ECG and normal chest x-ray and patients had a normal exercise tolerance at late follow-up. When surgery was performed at an adult age fewer patients had normal ECGs and chest x-ray postoperatively, and overall there was a lower functional class postoperatively. There was, however, still a good longterm survival. Atrial arrhythmias developed in a considerable number of patients postoperatively and can develop even late after surgery in all age groups.