Arrhythmias after transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects with a modified double-disk occluder: early and long-term results

With the development of interventional techniques and devices, transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect has been widely performed. However, there has been a lack of long-term follow-up results about postoperative ECG changes of PmVSD patients. We report our experience of early and late arrhythmias after transcatheter closure of PmVSD with a modified double-disk occluder (MDVO). We performed a retrospective review of 79 patients (47 males, 32 females) between September 2002 and May 2007 who underwent transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect. Symmetric and asymmetric PmVSD occluders were used. The diameter of the evaluated defects ranged from 3 to 12?mm, as measured by TTE and 3 to 15?mm by left ventriculography. Most cases of PmVSD were treated successfully with a single procedure, resulting in a successful closure rate of 97% (77/79 patients). There was no death in any of the patients. After the operation, 79 patients were followed-up for a range of 10–76?months (35.3?±?17.4?months). In this series, 11 cases of incomplete right bundle branch block and five cases of complete right bundle branch block occurred during the early period after operation. During long-term follow-up, these issues declined in prevalence to five and four cases, respectively. Moreover, reversible third-degree AVB occurred during closure or after the procedure, and two of the three patients with reversible AVB received a temporary heart pacemaker implantation. These patients recovered 1?h, 6?days, and 9?days later, respectively. During 10–76?months of follow-up, no complications occurred in any of the patients, including residual shunt, severe aortic valve, or tricuspid valve regurgitation. Device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects with a modified double-disk occluder (MDVO) resulted in excellent closure rates and acceptably low arrhythmia rates.     

应用国产对称双盘封堵器经导管治疗膜周部室间隔缺损的临床疗效

目的评价应用国产对称双盘封堵器经导管治疗室间隔缺损的安全性及有效性。方法自2003年3月至2007年7月,对我科689例室间隔缺损患者应用国产对称双盘封堵器经导管进行了室间隔缺损的介入治疗,合并房间隔缺损、动脉导管未闭等均进行了同期治疗。并进行术中,术后第1、3、6个月及每年随访,包括12导联心电图及超声心动图检查,观察并发症的情况（有无房室传导阻滞、封堵器形态、对主动脉瓣及三尖瓣的影响以及有无残余分流等）,评估该方法的安全有效性。结果总体技术成功率为98.8%。因术后脑出血死亡1例,因Ⅲ度房室传导阻滞安装永久性心脏起搏器1例,半年后因三尖瓣中-重度关闭不全转外科手术1例,6例改用Amplatzer偏心伞进行封堵成功;2例封堵失败转外科手术。其余随访期间未出现明显并发症。结论应用国产对称双盘封堵器经导管治疗室间隔缺损术后出现各种与手术有关的并发症的几率较低,具有很强的安全性和可行性,应成为室间隔缺损患者的首选治疗方案,但同时应掌握好适应证,注意三尖瓣关闭不全等并发症的预防。     

Transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect using detachable steel coil

Transcatheter closure has been attempted in selected cases of ventricular septal defects using Lock clamshell device, Rashkind umbrella device, and Sideris buttoned device. A small perimembranous ventricular septal defect with aneurysm of membranous septum in a 12 year old girl was closed successfully with a detachable steel coil of 8 mm diameter with four loops, after failure of deployment of a Rashkind double umbrella device.


Keywords: transcatheter closure; ventricular septal defect; septal aneurysm; detachable coil; congenital heart defects     

Percutaneous closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect associated with a ventricular septal aneurysm using the Amplatzer ductal occluder.

Amplatzer ductal occluders were used for percutaneous closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects with associated ventricular septal aneurysm in three patients. The device was well positioned and the ventricular left-to-right shunt was significantly decreased in all three patients. The procedure was tolerated well without complications in each case.     

Transcatheter patch occlusion of ventricular septal defect in Down syndrome

Closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects in patients with Down syndrome, either surgically or by Amplatzer occluders, carries a high risk of complete heart block. We report 5 closures using the transcatheter patch, a wireless bioabsorbable device without any reported heart block to date. The median defect size was 11 mm. Small devices were used in 4 patients and a medium size in 1. The patch was released after 48 hours in 3 patients and immediately in the other 2. Of the 5 patients, 3 were followed up for >5 years and 2 for 1 year. None of these patients had atrioventricular block during their follow-up. In conclusion, the transcatheter patch might be superior in terms of cardiac conduction system protection in patients with Down syndrome after ventricular septal defect closure.     

Transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect using a modified double-disk occluder

This multicenter study assessed the efficacy and safety of transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect (VSD) using a modified double-disk occluder. In 5 different centers in China, 412 patients with VSD, including 202 men and 210 women, underwent attempted transcatheter closure. The age range was 3 to 65 years (mean 16.4+/-9.1). The diameter of defect was 3 to 15 mm by transthoracic echocardiography and 3 to 18 mm by left ventriculography. The ratio of pulmonary to systemic flow varied from 1.6 to 2.3 (1.9+/-0.4). The device diameter was 4 to 20 mm (7.09+/-3.60). The ventricular septal rim below the aortic valve was 0 to 5 mm. The immediate success rate was 96.6%; 6 cases had third degree atrioventricular block and recovered within 3 weeks. None needed a permanent pacemaker. Dislodgement of the device occurred in 3 patients but the device was recaptured and redeployed in 2 cases. During the follow-up period of 2 years, there was no evidence of residual shunt and device-related complications. In conclusion, transcatheter closure of VSD is safe and effective in most selected patients; the mid-term prognosis of patients with transcatheter closure is good.     

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.     

Percutaneous closure of postoperative and post-traumatic ventricular septal defects

Although uncommon, significant postoperative residual leaks may occur after repair of any type of ventricular septal defect (VSD). Post-traumatic VSDs are even rarer, but can be occasionally seen after penetrating or blunt chest trauma. When these defects are associated with significant left-to-right shunting (Qp/Qs > 1.5) with persistent left ventricular volume overload, intervention is generally recommended. Surgical treatment requires cardiopulmonary bypass with its attendant morbidity, increased hospital stay and possible long-term neurological impairment. With the evolving experience of transcatheter closure of postinfarction and native perimembranous and muscular VSDs, this less invasive method became an attractive alternative to manage these postoperative and post-traumatic defects. In this paper, we report on 3 patients with such residual leaks after repair of a perimembranous defect, which was closed using a perimembranous Amplatzer VSD occluded after a failed attempt using a NitOcclud coil. One patient had a mid-muscular post-traumatic defect after a penetrating chest wound, and another patient had a residual leak after a patch repair of a large post-traumatic muscular defect with outlet extension after a blunt chest trauma. Both defects were closed using muscular Amplatzer VSD occluders. All procedures were uncomplicated, and there were no technical difficulties with device implantation. All 3 patients' defects were completely closed at follow up. Percutaneous closure of traumatic and residual postoperative VSDs appears to be safe and effective. A larger number of patients and longer follow-up period are needed before the widespread use of this technique can be recommended.     

Transcatheter device closure of intracristal ventricular septal defects

Transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects (VSDs) is now offered as primary therapy at many institutions. We sought to evaluate the clinical feasibility and safety of device closure of intracristal VSDs using perimembranous occluders. A total of 49 patients were diagnosed with intracristal VSDs and assigned to the intracristal VSD group, and another 49 patients with the same size perimembranous VSDs were selected and assigned to the perimembranous VSD group. Two types of perimembranous occluders, symmetric and asymmetric, were used, and no difference was found between the groups with respect to successful closure. The diameter of the intracristal VSD was 3 to 10 mm (mean 5.8 ± 1.4) on the transthoracic echocardiogram. The procedure time and fluoroscope time in the intracristal VSD group were significantly greater than those in the perimembranous VSD group. More defects with a subaortic rim ≤ 2 mm on the transthoracic echocardiogram were present in the intracristal VSD group than in the perimembranous VSD group; thus, more asymmetric occluders were used in the intracristal VSD group. All devices remained in a stable position and in an optimal shape during follow-up. In conclusion, transcatheter closure of intracristal VSDs with the perimembranous occluder is feasible, safe, and effective.     

Atrial and ventricular septal defects can safely be closed by percutaneous intervention

Various transcatheter devices and methods to close congenital heart defects are currently available. Devices have been designed specifically for atrial septal defect (ASD), patent foramen ovale (PFO), and ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure. The trend in interventional treatment of intracardiac shunts shows toward defect-specific systems. The PFO is a tunnel defect requiring occluders that adapt to its length while common ASD strongly vary in their diameter, making a large scale of device sizes indispensable. VSDs are predominantly sealed by coils or tissue-adapted devices like muscular or perimembranous occluders. Since VSDs may occur with an aneurysm (VSA), a multi-perforated septum, an instable myocardial situation (postinfarction) or a high interventricular pressure gradient, closure of these defects is regarded sometimes as complicated. But during the last 30 years (since King and Mills implanted the first double-umbrella occluding system) several studies have proven procedure efficacy and safety of both ASD and VSD closure. This article reviews a large scale of studies and includes our single center data on 1,609 PFO, ASD, and VSD patients.     

The usefulness of two-dimensional echocardiography in the diagnosis of an interventricular aneurysm]

The ventricular septal defect (VSD) may close spontaneously in the first few years of life. The closure occurs by muscle's growth of the borders of the defect or by the appearance of an aneurysm of ventricular septum composed mostly by tricuspid tissue. We believe that the two-dimensional echocardiography is the best method to determine the mechanisms that take part in the aneurysm formation. The study was carried out on 58 patients with aneurysms of ventricular septum observed in 230 patients with ventricular septal defects. 29 were male and 29 were female patients. The mean age at the time of diagnosis of aneurysm was 30 months (range 1 month-13 years). Forty seven patients had a perimembranous ventricular septal defect (perimembranous inlet 29, perimembranous trabecular nine, perimembranous outlet nine and of mixed's type seven), muscular defect nine (muscular inlet seven, and muscular trabecular two) and VSD closed in two. The size of the defect was 0.47 +/- 0.2 cm (range 0.2-1.1). In 16 the defect was larger than 0.6 cm. Thirty two patients had associated anomalies. On study the aneurysm in relation with tricuspid valve leaflets: in 27 cases (46.3%), the aneurysm was entirely formed by tricuspid septal leaflets tissue (17 had perimembranous ventricular septal defect and seven muscular), in eight (13.6) the aneurysm had tricuspid valve leaflets and interventricular component of the membranous septum tissue (five perimembranous defect and two muscular) and in another 16 cases membranous septum tissue only. In 7 patients the origin of the aneurysm wasn't confirmed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

婴幼儿室间隔缺损介入治疗的可行性及远期疗效

目的：探讨经导管介入治疗婴幼儿先天性心脏病室间隔缺损的可行性及远期疗效。方法研究总结海南省人民医院心内科2002年12月至2013年10月间经导管介入治疗的173例婴幼儿先天性室间隔缺损的临床资料。结果患儿年龄11个月～3岁[（2.1±0.7）岁],其中男81例,女92例,体重6～15 kg[（10.2±3.6）kg];室间隔缺损直径2.5～9.0 mm[（5.1±1.7）mm],其中单纯膜周部缺损88例（50.9%）,膜周部缺损并膜部瘤形成52例（30.1%）,膜周部缺损并主动脉瓣脱垂13例（7.5%）,嵴内型室间隔缺损20例（11.6%）,置入封堵器直径4～12 mm[（6.3±2.2）mm]。随访1个月～10年[（6.2±1.3）年]。173例患者中168例成功封堵,成功率97.1%,未成功的5例患者中,3例封堵器置入后出现中度主动脉瓣反流,2例导管通过缺损即多次出现完全性房室传导阻滞（CAVB）。随访过程中,1例患儿术后第3天发生CAVB,经地塞米松治疗4 d后恢复。3例患儿在术后即刻出现完全性左束支传导阻滞,随访中仅1例患儿发展为持续性完全性左束支传导阻滞,该患儿随访的5年中未发现心功能异常,1例患儿在随访的第4年发现完全性左束支传导阻滞,之后随访的3年中未发现心功能异常。术后第1天复查心脏彩超发现4例新发的主动脉瓣轻度反流和8例残余分流（宽约1～2 mm）,发现主动脉瓣轻度反流患儿在分别随访的6个月、2年、3.5年和8.5年中未发现进行性加重,发现残余分流患儿有4例在1个月后恢复,3例在6个月后恢复,1例在1年后恢复。随访的1个月～10年间无溶血、封堵器移位或脱落、迟发性房室传导阻滞等并发症。结论经导管介入治疗婴幼儿室间隔缺损是一项安全可行的技术,远期疗效良好。     

Catheter closure of congenital/acquired muscular VSDs and perimembranous VSDs using the Amplatzer devices

Over the past 10 years a variety of occluding devices has been used for transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects (VSDs), but none has gained wide acceptance. This article presents the experience of transcatheter closure of muscular and perimembranous VSDs in 22 and 13 patients, respectively, with the new Amplatzer VSD occluders. Overall total occlusion was achieved in 95% and 92.3% of patients with muscular and perimembranous VSDs, respectively. The main complication was embolization of the device in 1/13 (7.6%) patients with perimembranous VSDs. Transcatheter closure of VSDs using the Amplatzer VSD occluders appears to be a safe and effective alternative to the standard surgical treatment.     

超声心动图检查在VSD介入封堵术中应用

目的探讨超声心动图检查在室间隔缺损(VSD)介入封堵术的适应证筛选及术中、术后的应用价值.方法对12例施行介入封堵术的患者术前用超声心动图测量VSD之形状与大小,术中进行超声心动图监测,术后以超声心动图随诊.结果 12例患者中,膜周部5例,隔瓣后型3例,膜周嵴下型2例,嵴内漏斗部1例,心肌梗死室间隔肌部穿孔1例.共放置13个封堵器,被封堵的VSD直径为3～8mm,平均为(5.2±0.8)mm.10例患者封堵术后即刻观察,穿隔分流消失,术后1周复查,封堵器位置良好、稳定、无残余分流;1例微量残余分流,术后24小时超声心动图复查分流消失;1例少量残余分流,术后即刻复查最大分流速度为1.2m/s(低于险值2m/s),6个月后复查仅见微量残余分流.结论超声心动图检查对介入封堵术的适应证的筛选、确定封堵器释放时间、释放时即刻疗效的评价及术后随访具有重要价值.     

膜周部室间隔缺损介入治疗术后早期心律失常危险因素的探讨

目的 探讨影响膜周部室间隔缺损（PVSD）介入治疗术后早期心律失常的危险因素。方法 2002年8月至2006年2月用介入法治疗358例PVSD患者,男性161例,女性197例,年龄3～54（10．9±8．1）岁,体重12～90（32．8±17．2）kg。左室造影测量PVSD左室面直径2～18（6．5±3．1）mm,右室面直径2～12（4．2±2．3）mm;195例合并膜部膨出瘤。358例均具备介入治疗指征,共置入封堵器358枚,其直径4～18（8．1±2．5）mm,其中偏心型封堵器140枚,对称型封堵器218枚。术后每天记录12导联心电图,持续7天,系统分析影响PVSD封堵术后早期心律失常10余种危险因素。结果 所有病例的PVSD均获得完全关闭。术后早期发生各种心律失常135例,发生率为37．7％,其中严重心律失常23例,发生率为6．4％。统计学处理后,PVSD封堵后早期心律失常的发生率与封堵器型号、类型、PVSD与三尖瓣隔瓣的距离和是否合并有膜部膨出瘤密切相关。结论 封堵器型号大[≥（8．6±2．7）mm]、偏心型封堵器、PVSD与三尖瓣隔瓣距离≤3mm及合并有膜部膨出瘤是PVSD介入治疗术后早期心律失常发生的危险因素。     

介入治疗膜周部室间隔缺损后早期的心律失常

目的探讨介入治疗膜周部室间隔缺损后早期心律失常的特点。方法回顾性分析膜周部室间隔缺损273例心电图资料，了解介入封堵术后早期发生的各种类型心律失常。分析封堵器类型、缺损大小及有无膜部瘤对心律失常发生的影响。结果心律失常发生率33．0％（90／273），其中传导阻滞占68．9％（62／90）。国产和进口封堵器组的心律失常差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）；室间隔缺损小于5mm组和不小于5mm组的心律失常发生率分别为25．8％、49．4％（P〈0．05）。结论膜周部室间隔缺损介入治疗后早期心律失常发生率较高，以传导阻滞为主。室间隔缺损大小和有无膜部瘤是影响术后早期心律失常的重要因素。     

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.     

室间隔缺损封堵治疗前后胸部X线表现

目的 观察膜周部室间隔缺损（VSD）封堵术前后的胸部X线表现,总结封堵器在常规胸片上的影像特点。方法 分析资料完整的Amplatzer VSD双面伞封堵VSD患者33例术前及术后4～7 d内的胸部后前位及左侧位X线胸片。结果 大部分VSD患者封堵术后后前位胸片上封堵器位于第8～9椎体正中线的左侧,在形态上呈现1个点、2个点,偶可见1个点1个圈。侧位上封堵器均位于膈肌-脊柱交汇点与胸骨角连线的左前方,多呈2个点,部分呈“H”形。封堵术后短期内即出现肺部X线表现有不同程度的改善。结论 正确安置的VSD封堵器在胸片上具有一定的显影特征,常规胸片可以用来判断VSD介入治疗的疗效以及封堵器的位置和形态。     

介入治疗膜周部室间隔缺损后早期的心律失常

目的探讨介入治疗膜周部室间隔缺损后早期心律失常的特点。方法回顾性分析膜周部室间隔缺损273例心电图资料，了解介入封堵术后早期发生的各种类型心律失常。分析封堵器类型、缺损大小及有无膜部瘤对心律失常发生的影响。结果心律失常发生率33．0％（90／273），其中传导阻滞占68．9％（62／90）。国产和进口封堵器组的心律失常差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）；室间隔缺损小于5mm组和不小于5mm组的心律失常发生率分别为25．8％、49．4％（P〈0．05）。结论膜周部室间隔缺损介入治疗后早期心律失常发生率较高，以传导阻滞为主。室间隔缺损大小和有无膜部瘤是影响术后早期心律失常的重要因素。