Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Fully Endoscopic Mitral Valve Repair with Percutaneous Cannulation of Groin Vessels
Published on: May 26, 2023
Transcatheter repair of iatrogenic left ventricular free-wall perforation
Rolf Vogel1, Stephan Windecker, Bernhard Meier
1Swiss Cardiovascular Center Bern, University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland.
Insights
Transcatheter closure offers a new option for left ventricular free-wall perforation, a complication of cardiac procedures. This technique provides an alternative to surgery when access to the perforation site is maintained.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- Left ventricular free-wall perforation is a rare but serious complication of catheter-based cardiac procedures.
- Immediate needle pericardiocentesis and surgical repair are the traditional management strategies, required in approximately 20% of cases.
Observation:
- This report details a case where transcatheter closure was successfully employed to manage a left ventricular free-wall perforation.
- The procedure was feasible due to maintained access to the perforation site following the initial defect creation.
Findings:
- Transcatheter closure of left ventricular free-wall perforation is presented as a viable alternative to surgical intervention.
- Successful closure was achieved, highlighting the potential of minimally invasive techniques in managing procedural complications.
Implications:
- This approach may reduce the need for emergent surgery in select cases of left ventricular perforation.
- Further research and case studies are warranted to establish the long-term efficacy and safety of transcatheter closure for this complication.
Abstract:
Left ventricular free-wall perforation can complicate catheter-based diagnostic or interventional procedures and may require immediate needle pericardiocentesis followed by surgical repair in about 20% of the cases. We describe the transcatheter closure of a left ventricular free-wall perforation as an option in the event of maintained access to the perforation site after defect creation.
