OBJECTIVES This study sought to determine whether transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) can provide safety and efficacy equivalent to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for assessment and guidance of transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) closure in pediatric patients. METHODS We performed a prospective randomized trial of ASD closure using the Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO) from March ...

T he first atrial septal defects (ASDs) were closed percutaneously in 1974 and reports about their closure published in 1976. In the 1980s the Rashkind occluder was introduced and revived the interest in the topic, focusing for the first time on the patent foramen ovale (PFO). This device is still available in two modified versions. Its initial name, Rashkind Clamshell occluder, has been change...

Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is an uncommon but serious complication of acute myocardial infarction (MI), associated with a high mortality rate. Although early surgical treatment improves the prognosis, hospital mortality after emergency surgery remains high. Transcatheter closure of postmyocardial infarction ventricular septal defect (PIVSD) has emerged as a potential strategy in selected ...

As a result of individual physicians' initiative, transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defects-a new procedure-was made available to patients in the Kaiser Permanente (KP) Southern California Region soon after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved use of the AMPLATZER Septal Occluder. This ingenious device and the procedure for its implantation are described along with r...

AIMS This study evaluated feasibility and safety of implanting the polyester-coated nitinol ventricular septal defect occluder (pcVSDO) in the canine model. METHODS AND RESULTS VSD models were successfully established by transseptal ventricular septal puncture via the right jugular vein in 15 out of 18 canines. Two types of VSDOs were implanted, either with pcVSDOs (n = 8) as the new type occ...

A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is one or more holes in the wall that separates the right and left ventricles of the heart. VSD is one of the most common congenital (present from birth) heart defects. Many types of VSDs have been reported, including congenital VSDs, post-infarction VSDs (1), and post-traumatic VSDs (2). Furthermore, there are four types of congenital VSDs; perimembranous VSD ...