A multicenter experience with perventricular closure of mucular VSDs in South America
Perventricular closure of muscular VSDs has become an attractive treatment modality for infants. However, its reproducibility worldwide remains to be seen. We report a multicenter experience in South America. From 07/2007 to 08/2008, 7 non-consecutive patients (median age and weight: 9 months and 6 kgs, respectively) underwent the procedure in the OR under TEE guidance using Amplatzer devices. All pts but one were in CHF and had PAH. One patient was status post PA banding and 2 also had CoA, which were all repaired at the same session. Six pts had single defects (5 mid-muscular, 1 apical) measuring 10.5 ± 3.4 mm and 1 patient had multiple apical defects that required 2 devices. Eight devices were all implanted successfully (median size: 12 mm), with 2 having to be fixed in the RV wall with a surgical suture. One patient each developed R and LBBB. In 1 patient with a 14 mm defect, the inferior portion of a 16 mm device prolapsed through the inferior rim of the defect towards the LV after 10 days, requiring surgical removal with patch closure of the mid-muscular VSD. After a median follow-up of 9 months, the patient with 2 devices remained with a 1 mm residual shunt with normal LV size. Perventricular closure of muscular VSDs seems to be reproducible, feasible, relatively safe and effective in our hands. Larger defects may need device oversizing > 3 mm or suture fixation for adequate stabilization. More patients and longer follow up are needed.