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.