Minimally invasive perventricular device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect without cardiopulmonary bypass: multicenter experience and mid-term follow-up

Objective: To summarize the clinical experiences and mid-term follow-up results of perventricular closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect without cardiopulmonary bypass under transesophageal echocardiography guidance.

Methods: A total of 408 patients with perimembranous ventricular septal defects, aged 5 months to 15 years (3.1 +/- 1.7 years) with a body weight of 4.5 to 26 kg (13.6 +/- 5.5 kg), underwent perventricular device closure. The procedure was performed via a small lower sternal incision. A guidewire was inserted through the ventricular septal defect to the left ventricle under transesophageal echocardiography guidance after a pursestring suture was placed on the right ventricular free wall. A modified delivery sheath was introduced over the guidewire to establish the delivery pathway. Proper devices were delivered and then deployed if no atrioventricular or aortic valvular disturbance, or residual shunt was detected by transesophageal echocardiography. Patients were followed up with a standard protocol, which is once every month in the first 3 postoperative months and then once every 3 months with echocardiography, electrocardiography, and chest radiography in each follow-up.

Results: A total of 393 patients in this group underwent successful closure (96.3%), and the procedure was converted to conventional open repair in 15 patients (3.7%). A total of 213 symmetric devices (54.2%) and 180 asymmetric devices (45.8%) were implanted. Only 6 of the 393 patients (3.5%) received transfusion of blood products. New trivial or mild tricuspid regurgitation was found in 13 patients (3.3%), and there was no worsening of regurgitation in those patients with existing tricuspid regurgitation before operation. Eleven patients (2.8%) had incomplete right bundle branch block. Most of the patients were discharged 3 to 5 days after the operation. Follow-up in all patients ranged from 3 months to 2 years (14.6 +/- 6.2 months) and revealed no residual shunt, new or aggravating aortic regurgitation, obstruction of left or right ventricular outflow tract, or device dislocation.

Conclusion: Minimally invasive perventricular device closure of ventricular septal defect without cardiopulmonary bypass is a simple, effective, and relatively safe intervention under guidance of transesophageal echocardiography. This method should be considered for patients with ventricular septal defect. Long-term follow-up is necessary.