Transcatheter closure of muscular ventricular septal defect using the Amplatzer devices

From November 1997 to June 2002, percutaneous transcatheter closure of muscular ventricular septal defects was attempted in seven patients. Four patients had single and three had multiple defects. Surgical closure was performed in two patients in an attempt to close a perimembranous defect, leaving behind a large apical muscular defect, which was successfully closed using a device in one patient, whilst the second patient succumbed to septicemia/endocarditis 3 weeks after failure of device implantation. One patient had previous pulmonary artery banding and in another intraoperative placement of two Clamshell devices followed by additional transcatheter closure using Gianturco coils in two different sessions was performed.

Transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect was successful in six patients. Three patients underwent closure of their ventricular septal defects using the Amplatzer Septal Occluder and in the remaining three patients. Amplatzer Muscular Ventricular Septal Defect Occluder was used. The median age was 15 months (range 14 months to 10 years) and the median weight was 7.8 kg (range 7-16 kg). The devices were deployed antegradely in all patients. Immediate complete closure was obtained in three patients while two patients had small and one had a large residual following the procedure. The later was due to another multiple muscular septal defect. Transient heart block occurred in one patient during the procedure and another patient developed heart block on day 3 post-procedure. The latter required temporary pacemaker. During the follow up, one patient who had residual multiple muscular defects underwent a successful redo transcatheter closure using two Amplatzer Muscular Ventricular Septal Occluder devices.

We conclude that transcatheter closure of muscular ventricular septal defect using Amplatzer devices is feasible and effective.