Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure
Published on: February 8, 2022
[Percutaneous transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects using an Amplatz device]
Juan A Herrador1, José Suárez de Lezo, Manuel Pan
1Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba, 14080 Córdoba, Spain. grupo_corpal@arrakis.es
Insights
Percutaneous closure of ventricular septal defects using the Amplatz device proved effective in 12 of 15 patients, with no complications and sustained symptom-free outcomes. This minimally invasive technique offers a promising option for treating these heart conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Pediatric Cardiology
Context:
- Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) are common congenital heart abnormalities.
- Percutaneous closure offers a less invasive alternative to surgical repair.
- The Amplatz device is a novel option for VSD closure.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the initial experience and safety of using the Amplatz device for percutaneous VSD closure.
- To assess the efficacy and outcomes of Amplatz device implantation in a diverse patient group.
- To analyze the procedural success and complication rates associated with this technique.
Summary:
- Fifteen patients (ages 1-44) with VSDs (muscular and perimembranous) underwent attempted percutaneous closure with an Amplatz device.
- Successful implantation was achieved in 12 patients, with 11 experiencing immediate complete closure.
- No immediate or follow-up complications were reported; all successfully treated patients remained asymptomatic with complete closure confirmed by echocardiography.
Impact:
- Demonstrates the feasibility and safety of Amplatz device use for VSD closure.
- Highlights the potential for a minimally invasive treatment option for VSD patients.
- Provides early clinical data supporting the efficacy of percutaneous VSD closure with this device.
Abstract:
We carried out an analysis of our initial experience with using an Amplatz device for percutaneous closure of ventricular septal defects in 15 patients. The patient's ages ranged in from 1 to 44 years. Seven were infants with heart failure. In 4 patients, the ventricular septal defect was located in the muscular portion of the ventricular septum; in 11 patients, it was in the perimembraneous portion. The mean size of the Amplatz device selected was 11.2 (3.0) mm. Successful device implantation was achieved in 12 patients. In the other 3, stable occlusion could not be achieved, and the device was retrieved without complications. Immediate complete closure occurred in 11 of the 12 patients who underwent successful implantation. No complications were observed, either immediately or during follow-up. After a mean follow-up period of 9.2 (3.6) months, all patients remained free of symptoms. Follow-up Doppler echocardiography demonstrated complete closure in all patients.
