RT Journal
A1 Hanlon C, Barner HB, Willman VL, Mudd J, Kaiser GC
T1 Atrial septal defect: Results of repair in adults
JF Archives of Surgery
JO Archives of Surgery
YR 1969
FD August 1
VO 99
IS 2
SP 275
OP 280
DO 10.1001/archsurg.1969.01340140147022
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.1969.01340140147022
AB There is little argument over the advisability of surgical closure of atrial septal defects in children. If not treated surgically, many patients survive to adulthood, some even to advanced years, though the average life-span is reduced.1-4 Pulmonary hypertension may develop at any age, worsening the prognosis for untreated patients and raising the risks of operative treatment. Even with these disadvantages, certain recent reports5-7 present a favorable view of operative treatment for atrial septal defects in adults or even in elderly patients.8 However, Beck et al9 have pointed out the lack of symptomatic improvement in certain patients despite successful survival after operative treatment. We are reporting our experience with 56 patients, 16 years of age or older, who have had closure of atrial septal defects during the period from 1956 to 1969.Clinical Material 
    From a total of 196 consecutive patients who had closure of secundum-type atrial