CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE Transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects with the Amplatzer asymmetric ventricular septal defect occluder: preliminary experience in children

Objective: To close perimembranous ventricular septal defects (PMVSDs) in children with the new Amplatzer asymmetric ventricular septal defect occluder (AAVSDO). Patients and design: 10 children, aged 1.5–12 years, with PMVSDs underwent transcatheter closure with the AAVSDO. The device consists of two low profile disks made of Nitinol wire mesh with a 1.5 mm connecting waist. The left disk is 5 mm towards the apex and only 0.5 mm towards the aortic valve. The right disk is 4 mm larger than the waist. The prosthesis diameter was chosen to be 1–2 mm larger than the largest diameter of the defect (determined by transoesophageal echocardiography and angled angiocardiography). A 7–8 French gauge sheath was used to deliver the AAVSDO. Results: The PMVSD diameter ranged from 2–8 mm. The device diameter ranged from 4–8 mm. After deployment of the prosthesis there was no residual shunt in 9 of 10 patients (90%). In one patient there was a trivial residual shunt that disappeared at the three month follow up. Three patients developed transient complete left bundle branch block. No other complications were observed. Conclusions: The AAVSDO appears to be a promising device for transcatheter closure of PMVSDs in children. Further studies are required to document its efficacy, safety, and long term results in a larger patient population.