Mid-term Follow-up of the Transcatheter Closure of Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defects in Children Using the Amplatzer.

BACKGROUND The ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common form of congenital heart defects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of the early complications and mid-term follow-up of the transcatheter closure of the VSD using the Amplatzer VSD Occluder. METHODS Between April 2012 and October 2013, 110 patients underwent the percutaneous closure of the perimembranous VSD. During the procedure, the size and type of the VSD were obtained via ventriculography. A device at least 2 mm larger than the VSD diameter measured via ventriculography was deployed. The size of the VSD, size of the Amplatzer, and device-size to VSD-size ratio were calculated. After the confirmation of the suitable position of the device via echocardiography and left ventriculography, the device was released. Follow-up evaluations were done at discharge as well as at 1, 6, and 12 months and yearly thereafter for the VSD occlusion and complete heart block. RESULTS The study population comprised 62 females and 48 males. The mean age and weight of the patients at procedure were 4.3 ± 5.6 years (range: 2 to 14) and 14.9 ± 10.8 kg (range: 10 to 43). The average device size was 7.0 ± 2.5 mm (range: 4 to 14). The VSD occlusion rate was 72.8% at the completion of the procedure and rose up to 99.0% during the follow-up. The most serious significant complication was complete atrioventricular block, which was seen in 2 patients. The mean follow-up duration was 10.9 ± 3.6 months. CONCLUSION The transcatheter closure of the perimembranous VSD was a safe and effective treatment with excellent closure rates in our study population. This procedure had neither mortality nor serious complications.