Transcatheter closure of a traumatic ventricular septal defect using an Amplatzer™ atrial septal occluder device

A relatively rare occurrence, the incidence of ventricular septal defect (VSD) complicating penetrating cardiac trauma has been reported at 4.5%. Closing such defects may be challenging especially in an unstable patient where cardiopulmonary bypass may exponentially increase the surgical risk. In such patients, catheter-based device closure is a reliable and effective alternative. We describe case of a 30 year old man who presented with a stab wound to his anterior mediastinum. His injuries involved laceration to right and left ventricles and a VSD. His lacerations were repaired on a beating heart and the VSD was not addressed due to patient hemodynamic instability. The VSD was semi-electively closed using a 24 mm Amplatzer™ device as the patient demonstrated significant left to right shunt. Post-device closure, the patient developed hemolysis attributed to an intra- device residual leak. The hemolysis resolved without any complications by conservative medical management. At latest follow-up the patient is in NYHA functional class I-II.