Initial results of primary device closure of large muscular ventricular septal defects in early infancy using perventricular access.

OBJECTIVES: To report our experience with the use of the Amplatzer muscular ventricular septal defect (VSD) occluder, using direct right ventricle free wall puncture for primary closure of muscular VSDs in infants.

BACKGROUND: Young infants with heart failure due to large or multiple muscular VSDs often require intervention at a stage when percutaneous device closure is impractical due to delivery system limitations. There are considerable benefits to avoiding bypass in these infants.

METHODS: Patients with suitable muscular VSDs, considered too small for transvenous closure, underwent periventricular muscular VSD closure under transesophageal echo (TEE) guidance.

RESULTS: Eight infants underwent the procedure. The median age was 14 weeks (2-41) with median weight of 4 kg (3-6.6). Four patients had additional VSDs and one patient had previous repair of coarctation. One patient had dextrocardia and severe left ventricular impairment due to an associated cardiomyopathy. The median VSD size was 8 mm (range, 4-10 mm). A single device (6-12 mm) was deployed in each patient, the size chosen being 1-2 mm larger than the TEE measurement. Two patients had subsequent pulmonary artery banding, with absorbable bands, because of moderate residual shunting through additional VSDs. The latest echo study at a median of 7.2 weeks (0.5-66) post device implantation revealed no patients with a hemodynamically significant shunt.

CONCLUSION: Perventricular muscular VSD closure can be safely and effectively undertaken in small infants with suitable muscular defects, and this strategy can avoid the need for bypass.