Transcatheter device closure of postmyocardial infarction ventricular septal defect

Transcatheter device closure of postmyocardial infarction ventricular septal defect (PMIVSD) is less invasive than surgical repair. However, its feasibility, timing, outcome, and prognostic factors remain unclear.

This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study. Between February 2012 and July 2015, a total of 10 (8 male and 2 female) patients with PMIVSD undergoing attempted device closure were enrolled retrospectively. The procedures were performed under general anesthesia with fluoroscopic and transesophageal echocardiographic guidance.

The patients enrolled in the study were in the age range 50-85 years (median age of 76.5 years). The interval from infarction to device closure ranged from 6-147 days, with the median of 12 days. A total of 13 devices were implanted in 10 patients. There were five Amplatzer muscular ventricular septal defect occluders, four Amplatzer septal occluders, three Amplatzer PMIVSD occluders and one Amplatzer vascular plug II. Complications included transient ventricular tachycardia in three patients, device embolization in one patient, and tracheal bleeding in one patient. No procedure-related death, stroke, or cardiac tamponade was noted. During follow-up, two patients died of heart failure and two patients died of sepsis. Overall, subjects with age ≥ 80 years, systolic blood pressure ≤ 90 mmHg, and procedure time ≥180 minutes were significant predictor factors for mortality. All patients with the interval of infarction to device closure >12 days survived.

Our findings indicate that transcatheter device closure of PMIVSD is technically feasible, safe, and effective to reduce the shunt. The crucial prognostic factors were ascertained to be age ≥ 80 years, systolic blood pressure ≤ 90 mmHg, and procedure time ≥180 minutes.