OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical value of transoesophageal echocardiography on periventricular closure of ventricular septal defects (VSD).

METHODSTransoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed in 27 patients with VSD diagnosed by the transthoracic echocardiography examination (TTE) and prepared to receive periventricular closure of VSD for the purposes of choosing the appropriate occluder before VSD closure and guiding occluder release during the operation and evaluating the post operative effects of VSD closure 1 week post operation.

RESULTSThree patients with VSD not suitable for periventricular VSD closure according to TEE results were not operated, periventricular closure of VSD were successfully performed in 20 patients and minimal residual shunt was seen in 1 patient post operation, periventricular closure of VSD failed in 4 patients and these patients received surgical closure. TEE at 1 week post successfully with periventricular closure of VSD in the 20 patients showed that there were no residual shunts and the pulmonary artery pressure was significantly lower post operation compared to that of preoperation value.

CONCLUSIONTEE is helpful in choosing the suitable patients and occlude size, guiding occlude release and evaluating the post operative results for periventricular closure of ventricular septal defects.