The Comparison of Perventricular Device Closure with Transcatheter Device Closure and the Surgical Repair via Median Sternotomy for Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defect

Hybrid versus traditional method closure of ventricular septal defects in children

Objective

The aim of our study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the hybrid method off-pump for closure of isolated ventricular septal defect (VSD) compared with the traditional method of on-pump of children.

Methods

This research was a retrospective cohort study. Data were collected from 500 patients with isolated VSD (or residual VSD after a previous repair) who underwent surgery at the National Scientific Medical Center from May 2016 to December 2020. Patients were operated with 1 of 2 methods of surgery: the traditional method of on-pump or the hybrid method of off-pump. This study assessed the safety and efficacy of the hybrid method by comparing it with the traditional method for the treatment of patients with isolated VSD.

Results

The procedural success rate reached 93.2% in the hybrid method, with a 6.4% conversion rate to the traditional method and 0.4% hospital mortality. The mean operation time was 84 minutes (31; 160 minutes) in the hybrid group (n = 250) and 168 minutes (70; 300 minutes) in the traditional group (n = 250) (P = .000). Hospital mortality was 0.43% in the first group and 1.5% in the second group (P = .000).

Conclusions

The hybrid method of VSD closure is safe and effective in a selected group of patients. The advantages of the hybrid method are improved cosmetics and shorter operation time and overall hospital stay.

A Retrospective Study in Occluding Sub-arterial Ventricular Septal Defect

To assess the safety and effectiveness of utilizing eccentric occlusion for the treatment of sub-arterial ventricular septal defects, we performed a retrospective study on the classification and analysis of relevant cases. A total of 105 patients with a minimally invasive incision were enrolled in this study, from April 2018 to September 2022. All patients underwent treatment of transthoracic sub-arterial ventricular septal defect occlusion. We analyzed the causes of closure failure, indication, and complication. Briefly, the closure device was successfully implanted in 78 cases (74.2%) with a mean age of 31.4 ± 31.8 months, VSD size of 4.3 ± 0.9 mm, and device size of 6.0 ± 1.1 mm. However, 27 cases (25.8%) required cardiopulmonary bypass due to failure of occlusion. The reasons for failure included 13 cases with worsened aortic regurgitation, two cases with worsened aortic valve prolapse, one case with worsened mitral regurgitation, eight cases with significant residual shunt, and three cases with deviated occlusion morphology. During the 1-36-month follow-up visit, no cases experienced displacement of the eccentric umbrella, shedding, or arrhythmia. All residual shunts resolved during the visit. We concluded that occlusion for sub-arterial VSD has sufficient security and feasibility, under the strict control of surgical indications, appropriate choice of occluder and precise perioperative management.

Transthoracic device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect via a small left intercostal incision in children

Background

In children with perimembranous ventricular septal defect, surgical repair requires sternotomy and leaves unsightly scars, which can trigger long-term physical and psychological distress. However, transcatheter device closure is limited by vascular diameter, radiographic exposure, and expensive DSA equipment. We used an ultra-small left intercostal incision for transthoracic device closure to avoid the above problems and investigated its safety and feasibility by comparing it with surgical repair.

Methods

This study enrolled 358 children with perimembranous ventricular septal defect. Among them, 152 patients were treated by surgical closure and 206 by transthoracic device closure via an ultra-small left intercostal incision. Perioperative clinical data and postoperative follow-up results were collected and analyzed retrospectively.

Results

The success rate was similar (P = 0.265) in the two groups: 203/206 patients in the device group vs. 152/152 patients in the surgical group. The operative time, intensive care unit time, mechanical ventilation time, and postoperative hospital stay were significantly shorter in the device group than in the surgical group. Although the incision length of the device group (1.1 ± 0.2 cm) was significant shorter (P < 0.001) than that of the surgical group (6.7 ± 1.5 cm), there was no difference in hospitalization costs between the two groups (P = 0.099). Except for small residual shunt (16/206 vs. 3/152, P = 0.017), the incidence of complications in the device group was lower or equal to that in the surgical group, and all small residual shunt disappeared during follow-up. There was no thoracic deformity in the device group, compared with 11 cases in the surgery group during follow-up (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Transthoracic device closure via an ultra-small left intercostal incision under transesophageal echocardiography guidance is safe and feasible. With appropriate indications, it can be a suitable alternative to surgical closure for treating perimembranous ventricular septal defect in children.

Case report: Recovery of long-term delayed complete atrioventricular block after minimally invasive transthoracic closure of ventricular septal defect

INTRODUCTION

Long-term delayed complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) is a serious complication of ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure treatment. Thus, cardiac surgeons have made significant efforts to explore its causes and reduce its incidence. In recent years, minimally invasive transthoracic closure (MITC) of VSD has been used widely and successfully in China as it is easy to repeat, ensures individualized closure, and can be debugged repeatedly. Theoretically, the possibility of the recurrence of CAVB is lower than that with transcatheter closure. Although the incidence of CAVB after MITC of VSD is inevitable, long-term delayed CAVB has rarely been reported.

CASE DESCRIPTION

Herein, we report a case of delayed CAVB that occurred 2 years and 5 months after performing MITC of a perimembranous VSD. The cardiac rhythm recovered after the occluder was removed surgically.

CONCLUSION

The findings of our case report emphasize that since delayed CAVB may occur in the long term after MITC of VSD, the safety of MITC of VSD should be reassessed, the indications for MITC should be strictly followed, and long-term follow-up, including lifelong follow-up, is recommended for patients postoperatively. In addition, the occluder should be removed surgically in patients with CAVB as it may restore normal heart rhythm.

Peratrial device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects via a small right subaxillary incision: Midterm results in patients <12 months of age

BACKGROUND

Both percutaneous and perventricular device closures of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (Pm-VSDs) are alternatives to surgical procedures，but they all present certain drawbacks.

OBJECTIVE

To report our clinical experiences and midterm follow-up results of minimally invasive peratrial device closure of Pm-VSDs under the guidance of transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) in patients <12 months of age.

METHODS

Between January 2015 and December 2020，268 patients <12 months of age with Pm-VSDs underwent peratrial device closure in our institute. The procedure was performed under TEE guidance via a small right subaxillary incision. The delivery pathways is established by manipulating the hollow probe, and then the device is installed.

RESULTS

A total of 263 cases (98.1%) underwent successful closure, whereas five cases failed and were converted to cardiopulmonary bypass operation via the original incision during the procedure. The mean age was 9.5 ± 2.0 months and the mean body weight was 8.8 ± 1.4 kg. The mean diameter of the VSD was 4.4 ± 0.5 mm. One patient (0.4%) underwent a second thoracotomy for postoperative intercostal hemorrhage on the second day after surgery. The mean diameter of the occluder size was 5.5 ± 0.6 mm. During the follow-up (4.3 ± 1.4 y), there was no mortality, no new aortic valve regurgitation and atrioventricular block.

CONCLUSION

Peratrial device closure of Pm-VSDs via the right subaxillary route under TEE guidance is safe and effective at midterm follow-up, confirming this is an valuable alternative method for patients <12 months of age.

Update on shunt closure in neonates and infants

Introduction: Cardiac defects that result in shunting are the most common types of congenital heart anomalies. Although these lesions can be simple, they can cause significant hemodynamic changes and can be challenging to manage in neonates and infants. Over the recent decades, the development of new transcatheter techniques and devices has made it safe and feasible to manage such defects when indicated, even in the smallest of patients. Understanding these interventional procedures is essential in order to manage those patients.Areas covered: In this article, we review the techniques and experience for closure of atrial septal defects, ventricular septal defects, patent ductus aarteriosus,as well as coronary arteriovenous malformations and fistulas in neonates and infants. Literature review of PubMed articles was performed through January 2021, with focus on the latest data and results of the usage of interventional techniques in treating these lesions specifically in this age-group.Expert opinion: Significant shunting lesions can be particularly challenging to manage in neonates and infants. Newer lower profile devices will likely continue to be developed in the future, allowing their use for transcatheter interventions in even smaller patients and those with more complex anatomy.

Minimally-invasive-perventricular-device-occlusion versus surgical-closure for treating perimembranous-ventricular-septal-defect: 3-year outcomes of a multicenter randomized clinical trial

Background

Minimally-invasive-perventricular-device-occlusion (MIPDO) combined superiority of surgical-repair and percutaneous-device-closure in treating perimembranous-ventricular-septal-defect (pmVSD). This study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MIPDO for treating pmVSD, comparing with surgical-repair.

Methods

Patients aged ≥3 months with isolated pmVSDs were randomized to undergo either surgical or MIPDO procedure, with the median follow-up time of 49 months. The primary outcome was the rate of complete pmVSD closure at discharge. The secondary outcomes included the adverse events during hospitalization and follow-up, chest tube output volume, blood transfusion volume, procedural duration, ventilation time, hospitalization duration and hospitalization cost. Also, perioperative cardiac performance and systemic conditions were evaluated.

Results

Of the 313 patients (9 months to 42 years old; median, 4 years old) with pmVSDs recruited from 3 centers, 100 were finally enrolled and randomly allocated 1:1 into two groups. The non-inferiority (non-inferiority margin -8.0%) of MIPDO to surgical closure regarding efficacy was shown in both intention-to-treat (0, 95% CI: -0.055 to 0.055) and per-protocol populations (0.02, 95% CI: -0.018 to 0.058). Although the rate of adverse events was similar between groups, the MIPDO group showed superiority in procedural duration, ventilation time, chest tube output volume, postoperative hospitalization time and hospitalization cost compared with surgical group (P<0.05). Moreover, MIPDO method showed comparable perioperative cardiac performance with milder change of systemic condition.

Conclusions

In patients with pmVSDs, MIPDO method showed non-inferiority to surgical closure in efficacy for both intention-to-treat and per-protocol population with easier perioperative recovery, economic benefit and promising outcomes.

Minimally invasive closure of transthoracic ventricular septal defect: postoperative complications and risk factors

Objectives

To summarize and analyze the clinical characteristics of postoperative complications after minimally invasive closure of transthoracic ventricular septal defect, and to explore the risk factors for its occurrence.

Methods

Retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 209 patients underwent transthoracic ventricular septal defect closure performed in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2018 to January 2020, obtained relevant clinical data from the electronic medical record system and summarized their postoperative complications. And used univariate logistics regression and multivariate logistics regression to analyze the risk factors of its occurrence.

Results

The postoperative hospital stay of 27 patients was longer than 9 days. Residual shunt occurred in 33 patients recently after operation. One patient underwent surgical treatment again because of mechanical hemolysis after the operation. Two patients were re-operated 1 month and 10 months after surgery because of persistent moderate to severe aortic regurgitation. After surgery, 3 patients underwent pericardiocentesis due to a large amount of pericardial effusion, and 2 patients developed a new atrioventricular block after the operation. No other serious adverse events occurred. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the size of VSD defect (OR: 1.494, 95% Cl: 1.108–2.013, P value: 0.008) was related to long postoperative hospitalization. The residual shunt is related to the size of the occluder (OR: 1.452, 95%Cl: 1.164–1.810, P value: 0.001). In the univariate logistics regression analysis, no risk factors related to serious adverse events were found.

Conclusions

The minimally invasive closure of transthoracic ventricular septal defect is very effective, with no mortality and low incidence of serious adverse events after surgery. The size of the defect is related to the long postoperative hospitalization, and the size of the occluder is related to the residual shunt in the early postoperative period. No risk factors related to the occurrence of serious adverse events after the operation were found.

Hybrid Transthoracic Periventricular Device Closure of Ventricular Septal Defects: Single- Center Experience

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of hybrid transthoracic periventricular device closure of ventricular septal defects (VSDs) in a single center.

METHODS

All patients who underwent hybrid transthoracic periventricular device closure of VSDs between January 2018 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The preoperative, operative and postoperative findings and clinical follow-ups were reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 59 patients underwent the procedure. Transesophageal echocardiographic guidance was used in all procedures. The procedure was successful in 57 procedures (97%). The procedures of two patients were changed to openheart surgery during the same intervention due to severe aortic insufficiency (the device was not deployed) and significant residual shunt after device deployment. One major complication (1.7%) was observed after the procedure. The patient's device was dislodged within 12 hours after the procedure, and this patient underwent device extraction and VSD patch closure due to significant residual shunt. Eight (14%) minor complications were observed after the procedure, and three of them persisted during follow-up. Three of these eight complications were incomplete right bundle branch block, one of which resolved during followup; two were mild residual shunts, one of which resolved during follow-up; two were mild new-onset tricuspid valve insufficiencies; and one was mild new-onset mitral valve insufficiency; all valvular insufficiencies were resolved during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Hybrid transthoracic periventricular device closure of VSD seems to be a good alternative approach due to its procedural success and low risk rates. The best advantage of the procedure is the possibility of switching to open-heart surgery, if necessary.

Transthoracic closure of ventricular septal defects guided by transesophageal echocardiography

Background

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness and safety of transthoracic closure of ventricular septal defects totally guided by transesophageal echocardiography.

Methods

A total of 119 patients (62 males, 57 females; mean age 2.1±5.2 years; range, 11 months to 50 years) who underwent transthoracic closure of ventricular septal defects in our center between April 2017 and November 2018 were included. All patients were evaluated in terms of the diameter and morphological features of ventricular septal defects via transesophageal echocardiography. During the procedure, transthoracic echocardiography was used as the only guiding tool for occluder implantation.

Results

Of the patients, 116 underwent successful transthoracic device closure procedure. Two patients were switched to surgical repair due to new-onset aortic regurgitation in one patient and severe arrhythmias after device release in the other patient. One patient underwent a second operation for occluder migration during the hospital stay. In the first attempt, 106 ventricular septal defect occluders were correctly positioned. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed the insecure position or significant residual shunting in 10 patients. The original device was replaced with an asymmetric device or a more extensive occluder, and satisfactory results were finally obtained. No complications such as new-onset aortic regurgitation, residual shunt, complete heart block, or device dislodgement occurred during follow-up.

Conclusion

Transthoracic closure of ventricular septal defects under the total guidance of transthoracic echocardiography is a safe and effective method.

Comparisons of perventricular device closure, conventional surgical repair, and transcatheter device closure in patients with perimembranous ventricular septal defects: a network meta-analysis

Background

Treatments for perimembranous ventricular septal defects (pmVSD) mainly include conventional surgical repair (CSR), transcatheter device closure (TDC), and perventricular device closure (PDC). We aimed to perform a network meta-analysis to compare the three approaches in patients with pmVSD.

Methods

We searched for comparative studies on device closure and conventional repair for pmVSD to April 2020. A network meta-analysis was performed under the frequentist frame with risk ratio and 95% confidence interval. The main outcome was the procedural success rate. Additional outcomes were postoperative complications, including residual shunt, intra-cardiac conduction block, valvular insufficiency, incision infection, and pericardial effusion.

Results

Twenty-four studies of 8113 patients were included in the comparisons. The pooled estimates of success rate favored the CSR compared with the PDC. No significant differences of success rate were found in the TDC versus CSR and the PDC versus TDC. The pooled estimates of incidences of the residual shunt, new tricuspid regurgitation, incision infection, and pericardial effusion favored the PDC compared with the CSR. There were no significant differences between the PDC and TDC approaches in all outcomes except new aortic regurgitation.

Conclusion

The PDC technique not only reduces the risk of significant complications compared with the CSR, but also produces not inferior results compared with the TDC in selected pmVSD patients.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019125257.

Novel Strategy for Predicting Conduction Abnormalities During Transcatheter Closure of Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defect in Adults

BACKGROUND

In this study we evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of predicting conduction system abnormalities under 3-dimensional (3D) electroanatomic mapping guidance during transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (pmVSDs) in adults.Methods and Results:The distribution of the His-Purkinje system (HPS) close to the margins of pmVSDs in the left ventricle was identified using 3D electroanatomic mapping and near-field HPS was further confirmed by different pacing protocols. Of the 20 patients in the study, 17 (85%) were successfully treated by transcatheter intervention. The minimum distance between the margins of the pmVSD and near-field HPS, as measured by 3D electroanatomic mapping, ranged from 1.3 to 3.9 mm (mean [± SD] 2.5±0.7 mm). Five patients with a minimum distance <2 mm had a higher risk (3/5; 60%) for adverse arrhythmic events, whereas patients with a distance >2 mm were at a much lower risk (1/15; 6.7%) of procedure-related conduction block (P=0.032). No other adverse events were recorded during the follow-up period (median 30 months).

CONCLUSIONS

A minimum distance between the pmVSD and near-field HPS <2 mm was associated with a relatively high risk of closure-related conduction block. 3D electroanatomic mapping may be helpful in guiding decision making for transcatheter closure and reduce the incidence of adverse arrhythmic events.

Health-related quality of life in children and adolescents undergoing intraoperative device closure of isolated perimembranous ventricular septal defects in southeastern China

Objectives

To investigate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children and adolescents who underwent intraoperative device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (pmVSDs).

Methods

From October 2017 to January 2018, a total of 126 children and adolescents with isolated pmVSDs who underwent intraoperative device closure were enrolled in this study. We used the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Measurement Models 4.0 generic core scales to measure HRQOL 24 h before the operation and three months and one year after surgery.

Results

A total of 126 patients were successfully occluded. No severe complications occurred during the operative time, and 1 case of Mobitz type I atrioventricular block (AVB) and 1 case of complete cAVB occurred during the postoperative period. Compared with the data before the operation, the total score and five domain scores, including physical, psychosocial, emotional, social and psychological functioning, were significantly higher at three months after the operation. In addition, the total score, physical functioning score, and the psychosocial functioning score at the 1-year follow-up were even higher than those at 3 months after the operation.

Conclusions

The present study suggests that intraoperative device closure of pmVSD could improve health-related quality of life in children/adolescents and that the improvement may progress as the time after the operation increases. Further studies should concentrate on comparisons with other medical methods, larger samples, and longer follow-up periods.

A meta-analysis of perventricular device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect

Background

To investigate the safety and efficacy of perventricular device closure of perimembranous VSD (pmVSD).

Methods

PubMed and Scopus were searched for studies in English focusing on perventricular device closure of pmVSD published up to the end of March 2019. We used a random-effects model to obtain pooled estimates of the success and complication rates.

Results

A total of 15 publications comprising 1368 patients with pmVSD were included. The median follow-up duration was 2 months to 5 years, with a mean patient age ranging from 2 months to 56 years. The pooled success rate was 0.95 (I² = 86.2%, P = 0.000). The pooled rate of postoperative residual shunting was 0.02 (95% CI: 0.01–0.03, I² = 87.3%, P < 0.001). The pooled rate of residual shunting in the follow-up period was 0.001 (95% CI:-0.001–0.002, I² = 30.5%, P = 0.126). The pooled estimated rate of severe complications was 0.074 (95% CI: 0.046–0.102, I² = 30.5%, P = 0.126). The pooled incidence of complete atrioventricular block (cAVB) was 0.002 (95% CI: 0.000–0.005, I² = 0.0%, P = 0.577).

Conclusions

Perventricular device closure may be an alternative to conventional surgical repair in selected patients with pmVSD. The success rate was stable regarding the publication year and sample size and suggested both the short learning curve of this technology and its potential for wide application. The incidence of severe arrhythmia, especially cAVB, was low. These good results may be limited by the number of enrolled patients, and a more detailed and larger sample is required for further analysis.