[Transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects using the new Amplatzer membranous VSD occluder: a short-term evaluation].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal Defects (VSD) using the new Amplatzer membranous VSD occluder in a short-term follow-up.


METHODS
From November 2002 to November 2003, forty-eight patients (25 male, 23 female) with perimembranous VSD underwent an attempt of catheter closure using a new device specially designed for the membranous septum. The mean age of patients was 17 years +/- 12 years (ranged from 3 to 48 years); the mean diameter of VSD measured by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was 5.1 mm +/- 1.2 mm (ranged from 3 to 12 mm). Occluder was released through right heart system. All patients would undergo follow-up 1 months, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after procedures with examination of transthoracic echocardiography, radiography, and electrocardiography.


RESULTS
The devices were deployed successfully in 45 patients. there was complete closure in 36 patients immediately, and tiny (< 3 mm) residual shunt in 5 patients. at the follow-up of 3 months, only two of all patients had a tiny residual shunt. Complete left bundle branch block (LBBB) was found in one patients when he was examined in electrocardiograph 2 weeks later, there were no other severe complications. On a follow-up of 1 to 12 months (mean 3.8 months), all patients were demonstrated a great decrease in their left ventricle end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) (P < 0.05) and no other late complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Transcatheter closure of membranous VSD using this new occluder is safe and effective, the results of short-term follow-up was satisfied. Further clinical trials are underway to assess the long-term results.
Hu
Hai-bo
HB
Department of Radiology, Fuwai Cardiovascular Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100037, China.
Jiang
Shi-liang
SL
Xu
Zhong-ying
ZY
Liu
Yan-ling
YL
Lü
Xiu-zhang
XZ
Zhu
Zhen-hui
ZH
Wang
Yun
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000379:methods; D013504:Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography