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Updated: May 6, 2026

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure
Published on: February 8, 2022
[Risk factors for accelerated junctional escape rhythm in children early after percutaneous ventricular septal defect
Li Wei1, Li-Na Qiao, Yong-Yi Lu
1Department of Pediatrics, West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China. yeqianghua949@sohu.com.
Insights
Accelerated junctional escape rhythm (AJER) after percutaneous ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure in children is linked to VSD diameter and occluder size. The distance from the VSD to the aortic valve ring and the occluder size are primary risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Cardiac Electrophysiology
- Interventional Cardiology
Context:
- Percutaneous closure is a common treatment for ventricular septal defects (VSDs).
- Accelerated junctional escape rhythm (AJER) is a potential complication following VSD closure.
- Identifying risk factors for AJER is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose:
- To determine the risk factors associated with accelerated junctional escape rhythm (AJER) in pediatric patients following percutaneous VSD closure.
- To analyze the relationship between VSD characteristics, device parameters, and the occurrence of AJER.
Summary:
- A retrospective study analyzed 42 children with AJER post-percutaneous VSD closure.
- Risk factors identified include VSD diameter, occluder size, and distance from the VSD to the aortic valve ring.
- Logistic regression revealed that the distance between the VSD and aortic valve ring (OR=1.813) and occluder size (OR=1.671) are primary risk factors for AJER.
Impact:
- Findings help clinicians anticipate and potentially mitigate AJER risk in pediatric VSD closure.
- This research contributes to safer interventional procedures for congenital heart disease.
- Understanding these risk factors can guide device selection and procedural planning.
Objective:
To identify the risk factors for accelerated junctional escape rhythm (AJER) in children early after percutaneous ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure.
Methods:
A retrospective controlled study was conducted on 42 children who had AJER within one week after percutaneous VSD closure between January 2008 and October 2012. These subjects were compared with controls without AJER after VSD closure in terms of age, sex, diameter of VSD, occluder size, difference between occluder size and diameter of VSD, and distance between VSD and aortic valve ring. Risk factors for AJER were identified by logistic regression analysis.
Results:
Compared with the control group, the AJER group had a longer distance betweenVSD and aortic valve ring, a larger diameter of VSD (basal diameter), a larger occluder size (waist diameter) , and a bigger difference between the waist diameter of occluder and diameter of VSD (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that distance between VSD and aortic valve ring (OR=1.813, P<0.05) and occluder size (OR=1.671, P<0.05) are primary risk factors for AJER.
Conclusions:
AJER early after percutaneous VSD closure is related to diameter of VSD, occluder size, difference between the waist diameter of occluder and diameter of VSD, and distance between VSD and aortic valve ring. The distance between VSD and aortic valve ring and occluder size are primary risk factors for AJER.
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