[Echo-cardiography-guided occlusion of ventricular septal defect via small chest incision]

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Pediatric Cardiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a common congenital heart anomaly.
• Minimally invasive surgical techniques are increasingly preferred for VSD closure.
• Echocardiography plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of congenital heart diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of echocardiographic technology in guiding ventricular septal defect (VSD) occlusion.
• To assess the utility of echocardiography during preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of VSD closure.
• To determine the success rate and safety of VSD occlusion using a small chest incision approach guided by echocardiography.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 446 children with VSD underwent occlusion via small chest incision.
• Preoperative transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) assessed VSD characteristics and surrounding tissues.
• Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) guided occluder size selection and placement.

Main Results:

• Successful VSD occlusion was achieved in 412 out of 446 patients (92.4% success rate).
• Postoperative follow-up at one year showed stable occluder placement and no significant residual shunts or valve regurgitation.
• Echocardiography provided clear visualization and accurate guidance throughout the procedure.

Conclusions:

• Echocardiography (TTE and TEE) is essential for successful VSD occlusion via small chest incision.
• The technology facilitates accurate preoperative assessment, intraoperative guidance, and postoperative evaluation.
• This approach offers a safe and effective method for VSD closure with reliable outcomes.