Tricuspid valve detachment for ventricular septal defect closure in infants <5 kg: should we be hesitant?

We compared the clinical outcomes between tricuspid valve detachment (TVD) and non-TVD for ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure in infants <5 kg.

From January 2004 to April 2020, 462 infants <5 kg with VSD without more complex intracardiac lesions and who had undergone VSD closure through the trans-atrial approach were enrolled. Propensity score-matching analysis was performed. Clinical outcomes were compared between the paired TVD group (group D) and paired non-TVD group (group N).

The median age and body weight at operation were 1.9 months [interquartile range(IQR), 1.4-2.5] and 4.2 kg (IQR, 3.7-4.6). The median follow-up duration was 83.4 months (IQR, 43.5-130.4). After matching, 44 pairs were extracted from each group. There were no significant differences in all-cause mortality (P = 0.176), reoperation (P = 0.172), postoperative morbidities, including residual VSD, aortic regurgitation, atrioventricular block and significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) (P = 0.346) between group D and group N. However, group D showed significantly less TR progression during follow-up (P = 0.019).

In infants <5 kg, TVD can be a reasonable and valid option for successful VSD closure without morbidities, including TR progression if the indication exists.