国产VSD封堵器治疗膜周部VSD 的研究

目的 探讨国产封堵器治疗膜周部室间隔缺损（PmVSD）的效果。方法 对武汉亚洲心脏病医院2012～2014年512例膜周部室间隔缺损介入封堵术进行回顾性分析。结果 介入治疗成功率93.16%,35例治疗失败。15例因新出现主动脉瓣关闭不全,10例出现中度及以上三尖瓣返流,收回封堵器,中止手术。另10例治疗失败为其他原因（包括：室间隔缺损较大,封堵器展开后腰征不满意或存在较大残余分流;建立轨道失败;导丝无法通过主动脉瓣行左室造影;术中出现高度房室传导阻滞;术中导丝激惹左心室反复出现心跳骤停终止手术;麻醉失败;穿刺失败）。封堵术后出现88例并发症,包括：2例出现机械性溶血;18例术后3个月仍存在1～2 mm残余分流（3.52%）;16例新出现三尖瓣轻度返流（3.13%）;52例术后出现心律失常（10.16%）;2例外科取出。无死亡、封堵器脱落、心脏压塞及心肌梗死病例。结论 经皮介入封堵膜周部室间隔缺损术具有一定风险,术前严格掌握适应证,术中选择合适的封堵器,出现并发症及时治疗和处理具有重要意义。     

封堵器置入时保留导丝封堵室间隔缺损临床探讨

目的:探讨封堵器置入时保留导丝的方法封堵室间隔缺损(VSD)的临床疗效及安全性。方法:根据经胸超声心动图(TTE)选择符合介入治疗条件的32例VSD患者,常规建立股静脉→右心室→VSD→左心室→股动脉导丝轨道,输送长鞘沿导丝轨道从右室侧通过VSD进入左心室心尖部,此时,不按常规方法撤出导丝轨道,而是在保留导丝轨道的情况下将封堵器沿输送长鞘送至病变处打开,然后行TTE检查,如封堵效果不满意,则收回封堵器,按上述方法沿保留的导丝轨道更换封堵器,直至封堵效果满意再撤出导丝,左心室造影(LVG)确认封堵成功后释放封堵器。结果:32例患者全部封堵成功。1次封堵成功20例,再次更换封堵器封堵成功12例。左心室造影VSD直径为6～16(9±3.5)mm,封堵器为7～18(10±3.8)mm。所有患者术后即刻心脏杂音消失、TTE及LVG检查确认封堵成功。操作时间25～70(46±10)min,X线透视时间7.2～21(11.6±3.8)min。术后3d、1个月及6个月分别行TTE、心电图、X线检查,全部患者无残余分流,封堵器位置固定良好,无严重并发症发生。结论:封堵器置入时保留导丝的方法封堵VSD安全、高效,特别适用于难度较大的VSD封堵,该方法简化了更换封堵器时需重建导丝轨道的程序,缩短了操作及透视时间,减少了并发症的发生,手术成功率高,疗效可靠,值得推广。     

室间隔缺损经导管介入封堵左心室入路术式疗效评价

目的观察室间隔缺损经导管介入封堵术左心室入路术式的临床疗效及安全性。方法26例室间隔缺损患者经胸超声心动图证实,满足以下条件:缺损距主动脉瓣距离≥2mm,缺损直径小于12mm,除外干下型。根据左心室造影结果选择其中13例患者(缺损直径为4～10mm,平均6.4mm)行左心室入路术式封堵;其余行传统术式封堵。对行左心室入路术式封堵者无需建立动静脉轨道,仅将右冠状动脉造影导管(JR)经股动脉途径进入左心室,跨越缺损送达右心室,沿导丝将输送鞘管送至右心室,通过输送鞘管把封堵器送至缺损部位进行封堵,经左心室造影、主动脉根部造影结合经胸超声心动图证实其有效性以及有无并发症。结果左心室入路手术成功率为92.3%,无瓣膜返流及房室传导阻滞发生。手术时间:传统右侧入路平均手术时间75±18min,X线暴露时间27±12min;左心室入路平均手术时间45±12min(P<0.01),X线暴露时间7±5min(P<0.01)。结论在选择好适应证的条件下,经左心室入路介入封堵室间隔缺损是安全有效的治疗方法,可明显缩短手术时间和X线暴露时间。     

距离主动脉瓣右冠状动脉瓣不足2 mm的膜周型室间隔缺损介入封堵效果分析

目的 分析距离主动脉瓣右冠状动脉瓣不足2mm的膜周型室间隔缺损（PmVSD）介入封堵的效果.方法 随机抽取武汉亚洲心脏病医院2005年5月至2012年5月PmVSD介入封堵治疗的患者389例进行回顾性分析,男211例,女178例,年龄3～34 （9.94＆#177;8.53）岁,体重（28.47＆#177;18.11） kg.按照缺损距离主动脉瓣右冠状动脉是否＞2mm分为两组：A组（150例）为术中造影VSD上缘距离主动脉瓣右冠状动脉瓣＜2mm的患者;B组（239例）为术中造影VSD上缘距离主动脉瓣右冠状动脉瓣≥2mm的患者.比较两组患者即刻手术成功率、主动脉瓣反流发生率、术后心律失常、残余分流、机械性溶血、术后三尖瓣反流以及其他并发症的发生率.结果 B组的即刻手术成功率为93.72％,显著优于A组（78.67％）,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.001）.A组患者术后主动脉瓣反流发生率为22例（14.67％）,显著高于B组术后的5例（2.09％）,差异有统计学意义（P＜ 0.001）.次要观察指标中,心律失常发生率、残余分流发生率、机械性溶血发生率、新出现的三尖瓣反流发生率及其他并发症发生率两组间差异均无统计学意义,分别为P=0.314、P=0.392、P=0.573、P=0.385、P=0.946.在VSD直径较小时,使用任意类型封堵器均可获得成功.A组中当VSD直径为5～10 mm时,手术成功率明显降低;VSD直径大于10 mm组的成功率进一步降低,仅1例获得成功（P＜0.05）.B组中或大型缺损成功率比较,差异无统计学意义,但都低于VSD直径≤5mm组的成功率,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.结论 距离主动脉瓣右冠状动脉瓣不足2mm的PmVSD介入封堵总体成功率较低,但缺损直径小于5mm的室间隔缺损仍具有较高的成功率,当缺损直径大于5rnm时成功率非常不理想,有待于更新和改进技术.     

室间隔缺损介入封堵326例经验总结及随访分析

目的 总结经皮导管室间隔缺损介入封堵术的临床经验,并对326例患者的中期随访结果进行回顾性分析.方法 326例室间隔缺损患者均经临床和经胸超声心动图（TTE）确诊,排除干下型室间隔缺损,采取经皮导管室间隔缺损介入封堵术,术后即刻左心室造影和经胸超声心动图检查观察疗效,术后1d、1个月、3个月、6个月、1年、2年、3年、4年、5年行经胸超声心动图、X线胸片和超声心动图检查随访观察.结果 经皮导管室间隔缺损介入封堵成功率为98.3％（320/326）,失败原因为室间隔缺损过大或过小、位置特殊、合并主动脉瓣脱垂及反流、损伤三尖瓣或主动脉瓣、房室传导阻滞等.术后并发症：1例术后1d封堵器移位,急诊心脏外科手术处理;2例8 kg患儿术后股动脉血栓形成,尿激酶溶栓后治愈;12例新出现三尖瓣轻度反流或原有三尖瓣反流增多;1例损伤主动脉瓣致中度反流,急诊外科手术处理;56例出现非阵发性交界性心动过速,经激素、人体白蛋白、营养心肌等治疗后恢复窦性心律;17例不完全性束支传导阻滞;5例完全性左束支传导阻滞.1例术后10个月出现二度Ⅱ型房室传导阻滞,治疗后恢复至二度Ⅰ型房室传导阻滞.1例术后8d出现脑出血,开颅发现脑血管畸形,外科处理后治愈.术后患者左心室舒张末内径、心胸比例较术前改善.结论 经皮导管室间隔缺损介入封堵术具有创伤小、并发症少、无需体外循环、成功率高等特点,值得推广,但应规范选择患者和长期随访.     

左室入路与右侧术式室间隔缺损介入封堵术的对比研究

目的比较室间隔缺损（VSD）经导管介入封堵术左室入路与右侧术式的临床疗效及安全性。方法根据超声心动图选择符合介入治疗条件的VSD 46例。21例行左室入路术式者符合以下条件:缺损距主动脉瓣距离≥2mm,缺损直径小于12 mm。左心室造影结果示VSD直径为210（6±4）mm;其余25例行右侧术式封堵,VSD直径为212（7±5）mm。左室入路术式封堵者无需建立动静脉轨道,仅将导丝经缺损送达右心室、肺动脉,沿导丝将输送鞘管送至右心室,将封堵器送至缺损部位进行封堵。结果左室入路封堵成功率为95%（20/21）,介入封堵后即刻4例（19%）存在少量残余分流,17例（81%）无分流,1例（5%）三尖瓣极少量返流,无房室传导阻滞发生;右侧术式封堵成功率为92%（23/25）,介入封堵后即刻3例（12%）存在少量残余分流,22例（88%）无分流,1例（4%）三尖瓣少量返流,1例（4.0%）术中出现一过性房室传导阻滞。手术时间和X线暴露时间:右侧入路手术时间（72±19）m in,X线暴露时间（26±14）m in;左室入路手术时间（44±12）m in（P<0.01）,X线暴露时间（8±6）m in（P<0.01）。结论在选择好适应证的条件下,经左室入路介入封堵VSD是安全有效的治疗方法,可明显缩短手术时间和X线暴露时间。     

手术治疗先天性心脏病介入术后严重并发症-附7例报告

目的:探讨介入治疗先天性心脏病(CHD)术中及术后出现严重并发症的发生率、原因及防治方法。方法:对2006年3月至2013年12月,7例动脉导管未闭(PDA)、房间隔缺损(ASD)、室间隔缺损(VSD)介入封堵术及肺动脉瓣狭窄(PS)球囊扩张术中及术后,出现并发症而进行外科手术治疗的病例进行回顾性分析。包括严重主动脉瓣反流、三尖瓣反流各1例,封堵器移位1例,封堵器脱落3例,导丝折断1例。其中6例患者在全麻低温体外循环下行心脏直视手术,取出封堵器及导丝并矫治心脏畸形,1例在全麻常温非体外循环下取出封堵器并矫治心脏畸形。结果:7例患者均成功取出封堵器及导丝,心脏畸形矫治满意,体外循环手术中开放升主动脉全部自动复跳,顺利脱离体外循环机。心脏畸形矫正满意,恢复良好,无并发症。结论:CHD介入治疗是一种微创而有效治疗措施,但其并发症不容忽视,及时进行外科手术治疗可以避免病情恶化,矫治心脏畸形,恢复心脏功能。     

膜周部室间隔缺损介入治疗的临床评价

目的:评价膜周部室间隔缺损(VSD)经导管封堵治疗的临床效果。 方法:456例患者,经胸超声心动图测量VSD直径为3-18(6.2±3.1)mm,VSD距主动脉右冠瓣距离0.5-5.0(2.3±1.0)mm。其中6例合并动脉导管未闭,7例合并房间隔缺损,1例合并动脉导管未闭和房间隔缺损。19例伴轻度主动脉右冠瓣脱垂。先行左心室造影,通过VSD建立动静脉轨道,应用7-10F输送鞘管从右心系统送入封堵器。 结果:左心室造影测量VSD直径为3-20(6.4±3.0)mm,VSD距主动脉右冠瓣距离0.5-6.0(2.4±1.1)mm,其中86例患者VSD距主动脉右冠瓣距离<2 mm。391例伴膜部瘤形成。448例患者封堵成功,成功率为98％。未成功的8例中,2例导管未能通过缺损处,2例术中导丝通过VSD出现Ⅲ度房室传导阻滞(AVB),2例封堵后出现间歇性Ⅲ度AVB,2例伴主动脉右冠瓣轻度脱垂患者封堵后有少-中量主动脉瓣反流而放弃封堵治疗。所选封堵器大小为4-22(8.6±3.1)mm。封堵器到位后即刻左心室造影示微量残余分流68例,6个月复查超声心动图有1例微量残余分流。术后发生高度AVB 6例,1例安装永久起搏器。封堵器向膜部瘤出口明显移位1例,外科取出封堵器并行手术修补VSD。溶血2例,三尖瓣中量反流1例。合并动脉导管未闭6例、房间隔缺损7例、合并动脉导管未闭和房问隔缺损1例,同时成功封堵。 结     

彩色多普勒超声心动图在室间隔缺损封堵术中的应用价值

目的:探讨彩色多普勒超声心动图（CDE）在室间隔缺损（VSD）封堵术中应用价值。方法:应用CDE封堵术前选择适应证,术中监视封堵器释放过程,术后判断封堵术疗效,远期随访。结果:应用CDE选择187例VSD,186例封堵成功,1例封堵器术中脱落,成功率99.5%。术后CDE复查发现2例过室间隔少量残余左向右分流。CDE随访3个月发现1例封堵器移位。CDE选择适应证是:①右室面VSD直径≥2mm,<10mm。②VSD边缘距主动脉瓣≥1mm,轻度以下主动脉瓣关闭不全,无主动脉瓣脱垂。③VSD边缘距三尖瓣隔叶≥2mm,中度以下三尖瓣关闭不全。④并发能介入治疗的畸形,如动脉导管未闭、继发孔房间隔缺损、卵圆孔未闭和肺动脉瓣狭窄。手术中CDE监测封堵器释放过程是:①心尖四腔心切面确定封堵器导管在左心室内。②胸骨旁五腔心切面确定封堵器位于室间隔的左右心室侧的位置,封堵器中间有室间隔回声。③确定封堵器不影响主动脉瓣和三尖瓣功能。④封堵器到位后彩色多普勒血流显像（CDFI）没有显示或显示微量过室间隔分流束血流信号。封堵术后判断疗效:①封堵器不移位。②CDFI没有显示过室间隔分流束血流信号。③主动脉瓣和三尖瓣功能正常。结论:CDE在VSD封堵术中具有重要临床价值,术前选择适应证,术中监视封堵器释放过程,术后判断封堵术疗效,远期随访,其它检查方法不可能与CDE媲美。     

经导管封堵室间隔缺损术后传导阻滞的临床分析

本研究对6 0例室间隔缺损封堵术后并发传导阻滞的病例进行分析,报告如下:1.资料与方法:6 0例经介入封堵术治疗的室间隔缺损患者,4例术后72h内发生了不同类型的传导阻滞,术前资料如表1所示。手术方法:按常规方法建立股动-静脉导丝轨道,从静脉侧沿导丝递送输送器入左心室内,沿传送鞘送入Ampatzer封堵器。表1　4例患者术前心电图、超声心动图资料病例心电图　超声心动图1正常室间隔上部回声中断2 .5mm ,位于主动脉短轴11点2正常室间隔上部12mm×11mm假性瘤,其上回声中断3mm ,位于主动脉短轴10点3不完全性右束支传导阻滞室间隔上部膨胀瘤,其上…     

Perimembranous ventricular septal defect with aneurysm: two options for transcatheter closure

We present our experience with 2 options for device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect with aneurysm. Thirty-four patients with perimembranous ventricular septal defect with aneurysm, aged from 14 to 42 years, underwent transcatheter closure with modified double-disk occluders. A sheath was used to deliver the occluder after establishment of a stable "arteriovenous loop" under fluoroscopy. Electrocardiography and transthoracic echocardiography were used for follow-up. All but 1 patient experienced successful transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect with aneurysm, when occluders were used in 2 different positions. There were 19 patients whose perimembranous ventricular septal defects were closed at the inlet of the aneurysm and 15 patients whose defects were closed at the outlet. Eight patients had a residual shunt immediately after the procedure, which disappeared during follow-up. One patient developed minor aortic regurgitation. Four patients who manifested different types of conductive block were all in the group that underwent closure at the inlet of the aneurysm. No other complications were observed during follow-up.We infer that perimembranous ventricular septal defect with aneurysm can be successfully closed with modified double-disk occluders. Each of the 2 options that we have presented for transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect with aneurysm has its advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the configuration of the lesion should decide the type and position of the device.     

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。     

封堵器介入治疗室间隔缺损失败原因影像学分析

目的 用影像学方法分析封堵器介入治疗室间隔缺损的失败病例,以提高介入治疗室间隔缺损手术成功率。方法 未能成功行室间隔缺损堵闭术47例（47/774）,男27例,女20例,年龄2～30岁。对比其手术前后左心室和主动脉造影影像资料。结果 膜部瘤破裂15例,其中8例有多个破口,堵闭主要破口后仍有其他的破口分流,2例术前造影只显示单个破口,堵闭破口后出现新的破口,5例封闭基底部后仍存在大量分流;放置堵闭器后出现了中度以上的主动脉瓣反流28例,7例高位嵴下型室间隔缺损,室间隔缺损上缘到主动脉瓣距离小于适应证标准。21例伴有主动脉瓣脱垂,封堵器影响主动脉瓣从而造成主动脉关闭不全;封堵器移位2例;2例术后出现溶血。结论 封堵器介入治疗室间隔缺损是安全可靠的治疗方法,但是应该严格把握适应证,恰当地选择堵闭方式和堵闭器,避免治疗失败及术后并发症。     

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.     

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.     

Original Article--Predictors of Persistent Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation After Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defect and its Relationship to Tricuspid Valve Remodeling

ObjectivesThe aim of this study is assessment of persistent functional tricuspid regurgitation in patients with atrial septal defect before and after successful device closure and its relationship to tricuspid valve remodeling.MethodsThe current study was conducted on 60 patients referred to Tanta University Hospital Cardiology Department with the provisional diagnosis of atrial septal defect secundum type for transcatheter closure from December 2017 to December 2019. All patients were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, 12 lead electrocardiography, plain chest X-ray, full two dimension transthoracic echocardiography (for assessment of tricuspid regurgitation severity) before and at 3, 6 months after transcatheter closure.ResultsTricuspid regurgitation was decreased significantly after atrial septal defect closure due to remodeling in the right side. Age, estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure, right atrium end systolic area, right ventricular end diastolic area, tricuspid valve tenting area and height, tricuspid septal leaflet angle and tricuspid annular diameter were predictors of persistent tricuspid regurgitation after 3 and 6 months of closure. Only estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure, tricuspid septal leaflet angle and tricuspid annular diameter were independent predictors of persistent tricuspid regurgitation after 3, and 6 months of closure.ConclusionTricuspid regurgitation significantly improved after transcatheter atrial septal defect closure despite its significance at baseline due to remodeling in right side and tricuspid valve.     

Tricuspid valve detachment in closure of congenital ventricular septal defect

From January 1991 through December 2001, 600 patients underwent closure of a perimembranous ventricular septal defect through a right atrial approach at our institution. In 122 of these patients, the operation included temporary detachment of a tricuspid valve septal leaflet from the annulus to allow complete visualization of a perimembranous ventricular septal defect The mean age of the patients at surgery was 4.6 years in those who underwent leaflet detachment and 4.7 years in the 478 patients who did not (P > 0.05). Preoperatively, all patients were in sinus rhythm. Echocardiography showed trivial tricuspid regurgitation in 21 of the patients undergoing detachment and in 39 of the non-detachment patients. There was no difference in bypass time or aortic cross-clamp time between the 2 groups. Postoperatively, 3 patients in the non-detachment group had heart block; all other patients were in sinus rhythm. Echocardiograms on the 7th postoperative day showed small residual ventricular septal defects in none of the patients who underwent valve detachment and in 10 of the non-detachment patients; mild tricuspid regurgitation was present in 12 non-detachment patients only; and trivial tricuspid regurgitation was present in 19 patients who underwent valve detachment and in 29 who did not. There was no hospital death in either group. Long-term follow-up showed no progression of tricuspid regurgitation or tricuspid stenosis. All patients remained in sinus rhythm. This study suggests that tricuspid valve detachment is a safe, effective technique that improves exposure for ventricular septal defect repair and does not adversely affect valve competence.     

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.