OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy between micro invasive occlusion procedure and extracorporeal circulation procedure for treating patients with simple ventricular septal defect.

METHODSTwo hundred and twenty patients with simple ventricular septal defect (except subarterial ventricular septal defect) were randomly divided into micro invasive group (n = 116) and traditional cardiopulmonary bypass surgery group (n = 104). Clinical data were collected and compared at baseline and at 3, 30 and 180 days after surgery.

RESULTSAge, gender, body weight and ventricular septal defect type were similar between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Operation time and hospitalization duration were significantly shorter in the micro invasive group than the traditional cardiopulmonary bypass surgery group (all P < 0.05). The proportion of blood transfusion was less in micro invasive group than the traditional cardiopulmonary bypass surgery group [2.59% (3/116) vs. 72.12% (75/104), P < 0.01]. Three days after surgery, incidence of mild and above tricuspid insufficiency was less in micro invasive group than the traditional cardiopulmonary bypass surgery group [0.86% (1/116) vs. 2.88% (3/104), P < 0.05]. There was one patient developed mild pericardial effusion at 30 days post surgery in micro invasive group. There was no intracardiac infection in the two groups during follow-up. At 30 and 180 days post surgery, incidence of residual shunt was also less in micro invasive group than the traditional cardiopulmonary bypass surgery group [1.72% (2/116) vs. 7.69 (8/104) and 0(0/116) vs. 7.69(8/104), all P < 0.05]. After surgery for 3, 30 and 180 days, transthoracic echocardiography derived chamber size, left ventricular end-diastolic volume index and left ventricular ejection fraction were similar between the two groups (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe efficacy is similar for patients with simple ventricular septal defect (except subarterial ventricular septal defect) using micro invasive occlusion therapy or extracorporeal circulation surgery. Micro invasive occlusion procedure can shorten operation and hospitalization time, and reduce the need for blood transfusion and risk of developing procedural-related tricuspid insufficiency and post-procedural residual shunt.