A multicenter experience with perventricular closure of mucular VSDs in South America

  • Dr Carlos Pedra, Dante Pazzanese Instituto de Cardiologia, Brazil
  • Dr Simone Fontes-Pedra, Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia, Brazil
  • Paulo Chaccur, Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia, Brazil
  • Marcelo Jatene, Hospital do Coracao, Brazil
  • Justo Santiago, Hospital Universitario de Merida, Venezuela
  • Isac Tueti, Hospital Cardiologico Infantil, Venezuela
  • Guillermo Villoria, Hospital Cardiologico Infantil, Venezuela
  • Igor Donis, Hospital Cardiologico Infantil, Venezuela
  • 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.