OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (VSD) in children following transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).

METHODSFrom September 2002 to December 2005, eighty-nine children (47 males and 42 females) with perimembranous (VSD) underwent an attempt of transcatheter interventional occlusion. Among the 89 children, one of them was diagnosed with patent ductus arterious (PDA) and six with VSD leakage after the surgical repair (three with leakage after the surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot and three with leakage after the surgical repair of VSD). The mean age of patients was (6.4 +/- 3.9) years (ranged from 1 to 18 years). The mean body weight of patients was (22 +/- 11 )kg (ranged from 9 to 78 kg). The mean diameter of VSD measured by TTE was (4.3 +/- 1.5) mm(ranged from 2 to 8.5mm). The path of artery to vein was established following X-rays and TTE. Occluder was released through the right heart system. All patients were followed up in 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after procedure of TTE, X-ray and electrocardiography.

RESULTThe devices were deployed successfully in 85 patients, the rate of success was 95.5%. No death occurred during and after the procedure. There was trivial residual shunt in 12 patients immediately after the closure by TTE and angiography. Twenty-four hours later, only 3 patients had trivial residual and no shunt existed after 6 months follow-up. Convulsion occurred in 1 case due to serious cardiac arrhythmias. Hemolysis was found in 2 cases. Other complications included 2 cases of complete left bundle branch block, 1 cases of left anterior fascicular block and 3 cases of incomplete right bundle branch block. They recovered after 3 to 7 days of corticosteroid treatment. After 1 to 36 months (mean 9 months) follow-up, none of occluders displacement occurred and no valve was involved.

CONCLUSIONTranscatheter closure of membranous VSD using occluder would be safe and effective for children, and the results of short-term was satisfied. Transcatheter closure of VSD following TTE is a feasible method. TTE has the potential benefit of avoiding general anesthesia and esophageal intubation in children.