Transesophageal echocardiographic guidance of transcatheter ventricular septal defect closure

This report describes transesophageal echocardiographic guidance of transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects and its value as an adjunct to fluoroscopy and angiography in this procedure.

Experience with transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects has identified a diverse group of patients in whom it may be the procedure of choice. Although facilitating other interventional procedures, such as transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects, the value of transesophageal echocardiographic guidance for transcatheter ventricular septal defect closure has not been documented.

All patients who underwent ventricular septal defect closure with transesophageal echocardiographic guidance before November 1992 were included. Angiograms and echocardiograms were reviewed to evaluate device position and relation to valve tissue during placement and to assess residual flow after device implantation. The ability of transesophageal echocardiography to assess these variables was compared with fluoroscopy and angiography.

Transesophageal echocardiographic guidance was used in 31 of the 83 catheterizations involving transcatheter ventricular septal defect closure performed between February 1990 and November 1992. Under transesophageal echocardiographic guidance, 45 devices were implanted: 23 in muscular ventricular septal defects, 17 in residual postoperative patch margin defects and 5 in other ventricular septal defects. Transesophageal echocardiographic guidance enhanced assessment of device position and proximity to valve structures and markedly improved assessment of residual flow. Assessment of residual flow with transesophageal echocardiography eliminated the need for multiple angiograms in some patients. Combining transesophageal echocardiography with fluoroscopy and angiography provided the most information.

Transesophageal echocardiography facilitates transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects by improving assessment of device position and effectiveness of closure. It is indicated when device placement is likely to be difficult or may interfere with valve structures or when multiple interventional procedures are anticipated.