Late complete atrioventricular block after closure of an atrial septal defect with a gore septal occluder (GSO™)

Temporary intermittent complete heart block (CHB) occurred the day after interventional closure of an ASD with a 30 mm Gore Septal Occluder (GSO?) in a 2 years and 11‐month‐old female. CHB disappeared without further treatment and stable sinus rhythm recovered within 3 days. Only short episodes of 2nd degree AV‐block (Wenckebach periodicity) at rare intervals were documented in Holter‐monitors the following 2 months. Eleven months after device implantation the patient suffered from long lasting episodes of CHB. Surgical removal of the device resulted in incomplete recovery of AV‐conduction. Histopathological work‐up of the explanted GSO showed complete endothelialization of the device and regular scar formation. One year after surgery, the child had sinus rhythm during daytime but needed VVI‐pacing while sleeping. Young age, inferior localization of the defect, and use of a large device have been individual risk factors for CHB in this patient. Clinical course and histologic findings indicate that mechanical compression was the only cause for CHB. The cumulative number of reports of CHB after use of different ASD‐devices supports the recommendation to postpone the intervention in asymptomatic patients to preschool‐age. Early removal of a pushing device may increase the chance of complete recovery from CHB. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Amplatzer septal occluder and atrioventricular block: A case report and literature review

Transcatheter closure of secondum atrial septal defect (ASD) is an alternative option to open heart surgery with good short and long-term outcomes. For this purpose, the Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO) device is widely used. Arrhythmias are known complications of ASD device closure including atrial ectopy and heart block.We report a seven-year-old female patient who developed second degree atrioventricular block (AVB) within few hours after ASD device closure using ASO device. At the seventh post-procedure day; while under close observation; patient regained sinus rhythm which was maintained thereafter. A 3-day course of prednisolone was given.     

Transcatheter closure of muscular ventricular septal defect using the Amplatzer devices

TECHNIQUE: From November 1997 to June 2002, percutaneous transcatheter closure of muscular ventricular septal defects was attempted in seven patients. Four patients had single and three had multiple defects. Surgical closure was performed in two patients in an attempt to close a perimembranous defect, leaving behind a large apical muscular defect, which was successfully closed using a device in one patient, whilst the second patient succumbed to septicemia/endocarditis 3 weeks after failure of device implantation. One patient had previous pulmonary artery banding and in another intraoperative placement of two Clamshell devices followed by additional transcatheter closure using Gianturco coils in two different sessions was performed. RESULTS: Transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect was successful in six patients. Three patients underwent closure of their ventricular septal defects using the Amplatzer Septal Occluder and in the remaining three patients. Amplatzer Muscular Ventricular Septal Defect Occluder was used. The median age was 15 months (range 14 months to 10 years) and the median weight was 7.8 kg (range 7-16 kg). The devices were deployed antegradely in all patients. Immediate complete closure was obtained in three patients while two patients had small and one had a large residual following the procedure. The later was due to another multiple muscular septal defect. Transient heart block occurred in one patient during the procedure and another patient developed heart block on day 3 post-procedure. The latter required temporary pacemaker. During the follow up, one patient who had residual multiple muscular defects underwent a successful redo transcatheter closure using two Amplatzer Muscular Ventricular Septal Occluder devices. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that transcatheter closure of muscular ventricular septal defect using Amplatzer devices is feasible and effective.     

国产封堵器治疗先天性膜周部室间隔缺损的疗效评估

目的 评价应用国产封堵器治疗先天性膜周部室间隔缺损(pmVSD)的近期疗效和安全性.方法 选择2001年12月至2008年12月在上海长海医院心内科使用国产封堵器治疗的pmVSD患者604例.所有患者术后1周每天观察临床症状并行12导联心电图检查,术后3～7 d复查经胸超声心动图(TTE)和X线胸片.结果 604例患者中封堵成功576例,共置入封堵器583枚,放弃封堵28例,手术成功率95.4%.无感染性心内膜炎、血栓栓塞、猝死等并发症发生.81例患者术后出现不同类型的传导阻滞,其中右束支传导阻滞56例,左束支传导阻滞14例.31例患者在术后出现一过性的加速性室性自主心律.完全性房室传导阻滞(cAVB)11例,9例在3周内恢复,2例安置永久性心脏起搏器,其中1例术前有一过性cAVB,另1例为同时封堵房间隔缺损并室间隔缺损的患者.术后即刻,69例(12.0%)有微量-少量残余分流,术后7 d,31例分流完全消失,仍有38例(6.6%)存在微量-少量残余分流.术后主动脉瓣反流加重5例,2例由术前的微量加重到术后少量反流,3例由少量加重到中量;术后出现三尖瓣微-少量反流32例,中量反流3例.5例机械性溶血,其中1例持续5 d无好转,经导管取出封堵器,其余4例均在术后3～14 d恢复正常.1例术后出现股动脉假性动脉瘤,经加压包扎后消失.封堵器脱落1例,经导管取出,并成功行封堵治疗.封堵器移位1例,在原位置入另一封堵器.结论 使用国产封堵器治疗室间隔缺损成功率高,并发症少,是一种安全有效的治疗方法.     

Transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects using amplatzer asymmetric ventricular septal defect occluder: preliminary experience with 18-month follow up.

BACKGROUND: This study reports our experience in the nonsurgical closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects in children and adolescents with the Amplatzer asymmetric ventricular septal defect occluder and the outcome of an 18-month follow up. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty patients (median age:10 years; median weight:32 kg) with perimembranous ventricular septal defect were selected for transcatheter closure with the Amplatzer device. The prosthesis diameter chosen was 1-2 mm larger than the largest measured diameter of the defect on transesophageal echo (TEE). All patients were put on oral aspirin (5 mg/kg/day in children and 150 mg/day in adults) five days prior to and for six months after closure. Follow-up evaluation at 48 hr and 1, 6, 12 and 18 months included clinical examination, electrocardiogram, and a transthoracic echocardiogram. The mean defect diameter on color flow mapping on TEE was 7.1 +/- 2.3 mm. The device diameter ranged from 6-14 mm (median = 8 mm). One patient developed an anaphylactic reaction to contrast. The procedure was successful in 17 out of 19 patients where it was attempted (89.4%). In two patients with associated significant aortic valve prolapse and mild aortic regurgitation the device could not be successfully deployed. A trivial residual shunt observed during postdeployment left ventricular angiogram in 7 of 17 patients (41.2%) completely disappeared at one month follow-up. Three patients had right bundle branch block (2 complete and 1 incomplete) whereas one developed junctional escape rhythm with a right bundle branch block morphology. One patient had clinically silent thromboembolism to the left vertebral artery and another patient had hemolysis which resolved spontaneously within 48 hr. Follow-up at 13.5 +/- 5.3 months (range 1-18 months) revealed no residual shunt. The left ventricular internal dimension in diastole decreased significantly from 45 +/- 6 mm to 40 +/- 6 mm (P < 0.01) at the time of the last follow up. The baseline tricuspid regurgitation (n = 4) and aortic regurgitation (n = 3) remained unchanged during the follow up period. None of the patients developed left ventricular outflow tract obstruction or new aortic or tricuspid regurgitation. There were no other device related complications such as device migration, systemic thromboembolism, infective endocarditis, pericardial effusion or delayed conduction disturbances. CONCLUSIONS: In carefully selected children and young adults, the Amplatzer asymmetric ventricular septal defect occluder is a promising device for transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect with encouraging results on short term follow up.     

Transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect with amplatzer membranous occluder

BACKGROUND: Use of trancatheter device closure for membranous ventricular septal defect is still in evolving phase. We report the early and mid-term results of our experience with the new asymmetric Amplatzer membranous ventricular septal defect occluder. METHODS AND RESULTS: We attempted, transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect using asymmetric Amplatzer occluder in 26 patients. The patients were selected on the basis of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiographic assessment of the ventricular septal defect. The procedure was successful in 21 (81%) patients. The age ranged from 3 to 23 years, weight from 10 to 59 kg and defect size ranged from 3 to 9 mm (mean: 5 +/- 1.8 mm). One patient had situs inversus with dextrocardia: 11 had aneurysmal tissue partly occluding the defect and the device was deployed either across (n=6) or within the aneurysmal sac (n=5). Three patients developed high degree atrioventricular block on attempts to cross the defect with the sheath and the procedure was discontinued. In two patients it was not possible to place the sheath in left ventricle despite repeated attempts. There was a residual flow in 4 (19%) patients at 24 hours. Two patients developed bundle branch block and none had complete heart block. At follow-up (1-9 months, n=20), residual flow was seen in two patients. None developed late conduction defect, aortic regurgitation, infective endocarditis or hemolysis. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect can be performed safely and effectively with the new asymmetric Amplatzer occluder device in selected patients with good short- and midterm results. These devices can be deployed safely in and across and the aneurysmal sacs. In selected cases, this procedure is a satisfactory alternative to surgery.     

Electrocardiographic changes and arrhythmias following percutaneous atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale device closure

Objectives: To compare pre‐ and post‐procedure electrocardiograms (ECGs) in a large cohort of patients after percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO). Background: Percutaneous device closure of ASD or PFO is commonplace. Conduction and rhythm anomalies associated with percutaneous device placement have been reported. Methods: We reviewed records for all patients who underwent percutaneous device closure of ASD or PFO at our institution from 1999 to 2008. Pre‐procedure ECG and Holter studies were compared to available short term (<2 months after placement) and intermediate follow‐up (>2 months) ECG or Holter. Results: Pre‐ and post‐procedural ECGs were available in 610 patients (305 females, average age 50 ± 18.1 years, range 1–91 years, 384 PFO, 184 ASD, 42 with multiple defects, mean device size 16 mm, range 5–38 mm). We report an incidence of 5.2% (32/610) of arrhythmias in the 4 months following device placement, including 29 patients with atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATs, 22 fibrillation, 7 flutter), 1 with junctional tachycardia, and 2 with heart block. Among other findings, the average P‐wave duration was increased on intermediate follow‐up as compared to early follow‐up (P < 0.001). Development of new‐onset 1st degree AV Block after the procedure was associated with an increased risk of ATs post‐procedure (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: We report a low risk of clinically significant post‐procedure arrhythmias after device placement. Clinically significant heart block occurred in only two patients (0.3%). Changes in several markers of atrial conduction were found, suggesting an effect of device closure on intra‐atrial conduction. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Figulla ASD Occluder versus Amplatzer Septal Occluder: A Comparative Study on Validation of a Novel Device for Percutaneous Closure of Atrial Septal Defects

Objectives: Occlutech Figulla ASD Occluder (FSO) is an alternative device to Amplatzer Septal Occluder (ASO) with some structural innovations including increased flexibility, minimizing the amount of material implanted, and absence of the left atrial clamp. We aimed to report our experiences with FSO and compare the outcomes of this novel device versus ASO. Interventions: Between December 2005 and February 2009, 75 patients diagnosed with secundum atrial septal defects underwent transcatheter closure. The FSO device was used in 33 patients, and the ASO was used in 42. Results: Patient characteristics, stretch size of the defect, device left disc size, procedure, and fluoroscopy time were similar between the groups. However, the difference between device waist size and stretched diameter of the defect was significantly higher, and device delivery sheath was significantly larger in FSO group and device left disc size was significantly lower in the FSO group. In all subjects, the residual shunt was small to trivial during follow‐up and the reduction in prevalence of residual shunt with time was similar in both groups (P = 0.68). We found no differences in complication rate between the two devices; however, device embolization to the pulmonary bifurcation in one patient was recorded as major complication in FSO device group. Conclusions: Both devices are clinically safe and effective in ASD closure. FSO device has similar outcomes when compared to ASO device. Difficulties in selecting the correct device size in larger defects and larger venous sheath requirement need to be evaluated in further studies.     

Transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects using the amplatzer membranous VSD occluder: immediate and midterm results of an international registry.

OBJECTIVE: To report the immediate and midterm results of transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect (PmVSD) using the Amplatzer membranous VSD occluder (AMVSD). METHODS: Between April 2002 and August 2004, 100 patients underwent an attempt of percutaneous device closure of PmVSD using the AMVSD in 24 international centers. The median age was 9.0 years (0.7-58 years) and the median weight was 27.5 kg (7-121 kg). RESULTS: A device was successfully deployed in 93/100 (93%) patients. Reasons for procedural failure were an increased gradient across the left ventricle outflow tract in one patient, aortic regurgitation in 2 patients, and inability to securely position the device in 4 patients. The median VSD size by TEE was 7.0 mm (1.5-13 mm), median device size 10 mm (4-16 mm) and median fluoroscopy time 22.1 min (8.9-96.0 min). Weight below 10 kg (P = 0.0392), inlet extension of the VSD (P = 0.0139) and aortic cusp prolapse into the VSD (P = 0.0084) were significantly associated with a lower procedural success. Patients have been followed up for a median of 182 days (1-763 days). There were no procedure-related deaths. Complications were encountered in 29/100 (29%) patients, including rhythm or conduction anomalies in 13 patients (two with complete heart block requiring permanent pacemaker implantation), new or increased aortic (9 patients) or tricuspid (9 patients) regurgitation, most of which were classified as trivial or mild. Patients with a weight below 10 kg had a significantly higher incidence of adverse events than patients with a weight above 10 kg (58.3% versus 25.0%, P = 0.0285). Immediately after device release complete closure of the defect was present in 54/93 (58.1%) patients, increasing to 46/55 (83.6%) patients at 6-months follow-up (P = 0.0012). Left ventricle end-diastolic diameter decreased from a median of 44 mm prior to device closure to a median of 39 mm at 6-months postprocedure (P = 0.0015). CONCLUSION: Closure of PmVSDs using the AMVSD occluder is safe and effective. However, longer follow-up period is warranted prior to the wide spread use of this device.     

食道超声引导经胸室间隔缺损封堵术的临床体会

【】 目的 总结食道超声引导经胸非体外循环下微创封堵术治疗室间隔缺损(VSD)的临床经验。方法 自2011年3月至2015年3月我院经食道超声引导室间隔缺损封堵术患者45例,男28例,女17例;年龄7个月～9岁(4.7±1.9)岁;体重4.9～25.6(13.5±5.8)kg。膜部VSD30例,嵴下型VSD6例,干下型VSD4例,肌部VSD5例。VSD直径4.7～11.5(5.8±1.2)mm。全组均采用胸骨下端3～5cm小切口进胸,术中食道超声引导下,送入导引钢丝及输送鞘管经右心室-VSD进入左心室,沿输送轨道送入封堵器完成VSD封堵术,术毕立即经食道超声全面评估手术效果。结果 全组43例封堵成功(95.6%),2例术中转为体外循环下常规手术(4.4%)。术后封堵器边缘少量残余分流2例(4.4%),3个月后复查消失。术后40例随访12个月(88.9%,40/45),无传导阻滞及主动脉瓣返流,无近期死亡。 结论 食道超声引导室间隔缺损封堵术是一种简单有效的治疗方法,多次操作后即可掌握操作要点,术中需结合超声对手术效果进行评估。     

Initial results of primary device closure of large muscular ventricular septal defects in early infancy using perventricular access

Objectives: To report our experience with the use of the Amplatzer muscular ventricular septal defect (VSD) occluder, using direct right ventricle free wall puncture for primary closure of muscular VSDs in infants. Background: Young infants with heart failure due to large or multiple muscular VSDs often require intervention at a stage when percutaneous device closure is impractical due to delivery system limitations. There are considerable benefits to avoiding bypass in these infants. Methods: Patients with suitable muscular VSDs, considered too small for transvenous closure, underwent perventricular muscular VSD closure under transesophageal echo (TEE) guidance. Results: Eight infants underwent the procedure. The median age was 14 weeks (2–41) with median weight of 4 kg (3–6.6). Four patients had additional VSDs and one patient had previous repair of coarctation. One patient had dextrocardia and severe left ventricular impairment due to an associated cardiomyopathy. The median VSD size was 8 mm (range, 4–10 mm). A single device (6–12 mm) was deployed in each patient, the size chosen being 1–2 mm larger than the TEE measurement. Two patients had subsequent pulmonary artery banding, with absorbable bands, because of moderate residual shunting through additional VSDs. The latest echo study at a median of 7.2 weeks (0.5–66) post device implantation revealed no patients with a hemodynamically significant shunt. Conclusion: Perventricular muscular VSD closure can be safely and effectively undertaken in small infants with suitable muscular defects, and this strategy can avoid the need for bypass. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect in children: Safety and efficiency with symmetric and asymmetric occluders

Objectives : This study was designed to determine the safety and efficiency of asymmetric and symmetric ventricular septal occluders (AVSDOs and SVSDOs, respectively) for closure perimembranous ventricular septal defect (PMVSD) in children. Methods : Between January 2003 and December 2007, 142 children with PMVSD were treated with occluders (64 with AVSDOs and 78 with SVSDOs). Results : The defect diameter was 5.3 ± 1.1 mm in the AVSDO group and 5.4 ± 1.3 mm in the SVSDO group (P > 0.05). The success rates were similar between two groups [93.8% (AVSDO) vs. 94.9% (SVSDO), P > 0.05]. Two patients in the AVSDO group were switched to the SVSDO group due to residual shunts, and one patient in the SVSDO group was switched due to aortic regurgitation after deployment of the occluder. After procedure, 17 patients [seven with AVSDOs and nine with SVSDOs (P > 0.05)] developed various types of heart block (HB). Among them, 13 patients converted to the normal sinus rhythm. The remaining four cases had not recovered at the end of the study. Conclusions : Transcatheter closure of PMVSD using both AVSDO and SVSDO was safe and effective. Development of HB was the main complication for both devices. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Transcatheter closure of a ruptured ventricular septum after myocardial infarction using a venous approach

A 65-year old patient was admitted after having sustained a ventricular septum rupture 18 days after an anterior myocardial infarction. He developed acute heart failure. Given the extremely high perioperative risk in surgical approaches in this setting, we decided for a transcatheter closure of the defect with an exclusively venous approach. After a complete recovery, the patient underwent open heart surgery with aorto coronary bypass, aneurysmectomy, and removal of the closure device. This case demonstrates that transcatheter closure of a post infarction ventricular septum rupture is a technically feasible and suitable method.     

国产动脉导管封堵器闭合膜周部室间隔缺损的疗效评价

目的评价国产动脉导管（PDA）封堵器闭合膜周部室间隔缺损（VSD）的可行性、安全性及疗效。方法2004年5月至2008年7月,21例先天性膜周部VSD患者[男性10例,女性11例,年龄5～40（21．3±10．2）岁]成功接受了封堵治疗。膜周部VSD的直径均先经经胸心脏彩超检查（TTE）测量,并经左心室造影进一步明确。封堵操作完成10min后再次予TTE及左心室造影评估封堵效果。术后心电监护1周,出院前及出院后1、3、6个月随访复查TTE及心电图。结果21例患者均全部封堵成功,国产PDA封堵器尺寸为6／8～18／20mm。封堵后,2例新出现微量主动脉瓣反流,1例出现少量的三尖瓣反流;3例出现完全性或不完全性右束支传导阻滞,1例出现完全性左束支传导阻滞,1例出现不完全右束支合并间歇性完全性左束支传导阻滞,除2例完全性或不完全性右束支传导阻滞在6个月内随访时未恢复外,其他3例均在出院前恢复正常;4例存在微量残余分流,其中3例在7d后复查超声时消失,另1例在1个月随访时消失。术前TTE估测肺动脉压力为28．0～46．7（33．4±9．2）mmHg,术后肺动脉压力为16．0-30．2（19．2±7．6）mmHg,6个月随访时肺动脉压力进一步下降为15．3-26．7（17．3±6．9）mmHg。结论对部分膜周部室间隔缺损的患者应用PDA封堵器进行封堵是可行的、安全的及有效的。     

Late complete heart block in an adult patient undergoing percutaneous ventricular septal defect closure

With advances in transcatheter treatment options, percutaneous device closure of ventricular septal defects has become a safe and practical alternative to surgical repair. While outcomes have been excellent, late complete heart bock has been documented during follow up of pediatric patients. We report a case of late complete heart block complicating percutaneous device closure of a ventricular septal defect in a 37-year-old female requiring permanent pacemaker insertion. The patient underwent transcatheter closure of an atrial and ventricular septal defect in the context of treated pulmonary hypertension and significant intracardiac shunting. Seven months after the procedure, the patient was admitted with presyncope, with electrocardiographic monitoring confirming complete heart block. While previously only reported in the pediatric literature, awareness of the possibility of complete heart block should be considered during the late follow up of adult patients.     

Reversion to sinus rhythm 11 years after surgically induced heart block.

A patient is presented in whom the heart reverted spontaneously to sinus rhythm 11 years after surgical closure of a ventricular septal defect complicated by complete heart block. It seems unlikely that regeneration of fibres in the bundle of His, if these had indeed been destroyed, could account for the restoration of sinus rhythm after so long an interval.     

Transcatheter closure of ruptured sinus of valsalva aneurysm

Percutaneous transcatheter closure of ruptured sinus of valsalva aneurysm was attempted in eight patients between January 1995 and March 2003 as an alternative strategy to surgery as this technique at present is an accepted therapeutic modality for various intracardiac defects. The age range was 14-35 years, all were male, seven in symptomatic class III and one in class IV on medical treatment. Two-dimensional and color Doppler echocardiography revealed rupture of an aneurysm of right coronary sinus into right ventricle in five and noncoronary sinus into right atrium in three and none had associated ventricular septal defect. The echo estimated size of the defect was 7-12 mm. On cardiac catheterization left ventricular end-diastolic pressure ranged from 20 to 40 mmHg and the calculated Qp/Qs ratio was 2-3.5. In all patients the defect was crossed retrogradely from the aortic side and over an arterio-venous wire loop after balloon sizing, devices were successfully deployed by antegrade venous approach (Rashkind umbrella device in two and Amplatzer occluders in six, which included Amplatzer duct occluder in five and Amplatzer septal occluder in one). One patient who had residual shunt developed hemolysis on the next day and was taken up for reintervention. That patient continued to have intermittent hemolysis and was sent for surgical repair. On follow-up (2-96 months), there was no device embolization, infective endocarditis, and aortic regurgitation. One patient died of progressive congestive heart failure while other six are asymptomatic. These data highlight that transcatheter closure is feasible and effective, especially safe with the available Amplatzer devices. Definitely, it has the advantage of obviating open heart surgery but complete occlusion is mandatory to prevent hemolysis and infective endocarditis.     

Transcatheter closure of a traumatic ventricular septal defect using an amplatzer™ atrial septal occluder device

A relatively rare occurrence, the incidence of ventricular septal defect (VSD) complicating penetrating cardiac trauma has been reported at 4.5%. Closing such defects may be challenging especially in an unstable patient where cardiopulmonary bypass may exponentially increase the surgical risk. In such patients, catheter‐based device closure is a reliable and effective alternative. We describe case of a 30 year old man who presented with a stab wound to his anterior mediastinum. His injuries involved laceration to right and left ventricles and a VSD. His lacerations were repaired on a beating heart and the VSD was not addressed due to patient hemodynamic instability. The VSD was semi‐electively closed using a 24 mm Amplatzer? device as the patient demonstrated significant left to right shunt. Post‐device closure, the patient developed hemolysis attributed to an intra‐ device residual leak. The hemolysis resolved without any complications by conservative medical management. At latest follow‐up the patient is in NYHA functional class I–II . © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Abnormal distortion of aortic corevalve bioprosthesis with suicide left ventricle,aortic insufficiency,and severe mitral regurgitation during transcatheter aortic valve replacement

We present a patient with critical degenerative aortic stenosis, mitral annular and aortomitral continuity calcification, and senile sigmoid septal hypertrophy who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement using the CoreValve bioprosthesis. Immediately after predilation of the aortic valve (18‐mm balloon), the patient developed severe hypotension and dynamic left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction with systolic anterior motion of the anterior mitral leaflet, causing severe mitral regurgitation. After deployment of a 26‐mm bioprosthesis, a transesophageal echocardiogram and left ventriculogram showed that the frame of the bioprosthesis appeared distorted and underexpanded. On the mitral side of the aorta (side of the aortomitral curtain between 12:00 and 3:00, echo short axis view), we found moderate periprosthetic aortic insufficiency with worse mitral regurgitation. The left ventricle was small and hyperdynamic (ejection fraction >85%). The patient soon developed complete heart block, atrial fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia. She was resuscitated with aggressive intravenous fluids, vasopressors, and an emergently placed atrioventricular sequential pacemaker. We postdilated the 26‐mm bioprosthesis with a 22‐mm Z‐Med balloon and subsequently with a 25‐mm balloon. Each balloon was inflated to its nominal volume and pressure and conformed the nitinol frame of the valve to the net circular shape and expected diameter. However, as soon as each balloon was deflated, the surrounding aortic root anatomy visibly recoiled and the frame returned to its smaller diameter with a distorted shape. A second 26‐mm CoreValve bioprosthesis was then deployed in a “valve‐in‐valve” configuration. Soon after, the patient's hemodynamics improved, her clinical condition stabilized, and she completely recovered. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Reversible complete atrioventricular block after percutaneous ASD device closure in a child <15 kg

Transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) in small children less than 15 kg may be associated with increased complications. Complete atrioventricular heart block (CHB) is a rare complication of ASD device closure in such a setting. We report the case of a 2-year-old girl, less than 15 kg, who underwent device closure of ASD with Amplatzer Septal Occluder and subsequently developed CHB 12 h after the procedure which resolved completely with steroid treatment on fifth day. Case report of a similar kind is rarely reported in the literature. Despite adequate postero-inferior margin CHB may still occur in small children as in our case.