Use of Pulmonary Inhalants Remains Remarkably High After Atrial Septal Defect Closure.

Background: Post-repair atrial septal defects (ASD) patients are frequently discharged from follow-up, but the extent of pulmonary symptoms long-term post-repair is unknown.

Methods and results: The national CONgenital CORvitia registry was linked to the national Drug Registry to investigate all ambulatory-dispensed pulmonary inhalants for 2006-2014. ASD patients were compared with age- and sex-matched referents from the general population. A total of 1,959 adult patients (age 42±17 years; 66% female; 1,223 [62%] repaired) were included. Compared with the referents, ASD patients had more inhalant use, even at long-term post-repair follow-up (OR=1.81 [95% CI 1.62-2.03]; P<0.001).

Conclusions: ASD patients had 2-fold higher inhalant use compared with referents even at long-term post-repair follow-up, suggesting persistent pulmonary functional impairment.