Cardiac rhythm abnormalities after transcatheter device closure of perimembraneous ventricular septal defects in pediatric patients at intermediate term follow up

Abstract

Background: Transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects in pediatric patients poses special challenges owing to anatomical relationship between conduction system and perimembraneous ventricular septal defect. Aims: The study aims to assess and evaluate the conduction disturbances after transcatheter device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect using different occluders at mid-term follow-up. Methods: We studied 297 patients having PMVSD with clinical and/or echocardiographic evidence of a significant left-to-right shunt. All subjects underwent clinical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-rays and transthoracic echocardiography before discharge and at 1, 6 and 12-months after the procedure and yearly thereafter. Platelet anti-aggregation therapy with aspirin 5 mg/kg/day orally and endocarditis prophylaxis was prescribed for six months. Results: The mean age of the patients was 8.64±3.14 years (range 3-17.2 years). Majority (86.2%) had no residual shunt at follow-up. Total rhythm disturbances were seen in about 6% (18/297) of patients with transient complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) occurring in 3 patients. There was no mortality in our study which compares well with the surgical results in which it is between 0-3 percent. Conclusions: This study showed that transcatheter closure of PMVSD using symmetric PMVSD occluders and duct occluders is a safe and effective alternative to surgery. Oversizing of devices should be minimized and low profile devices appropriate to specific morphology of VSD should be used. It has excellent results in experienced hands with minimum morbidity and almost no mortality.