Percutaneous closure of ventricular septal defects in children aged <12: early and mid-term results.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the article is to study the safety, efficacy, and follow-up of percutaneous closure of muscular ventricular septal defect (mVSD) and perimembranous ventricular septal defect (pmVSD) in children.


RESULTS
Between January 2000 and June 2005, among 140 patients who underwent percutaneous closure of an mVSD or a pmVSD, 88 were aged lt;12. Two different Amplatzer devices were used: the mVSD occluder and the pmVSD occluder. Mean age and weight at procedure were 4.5+/-3.3 years and 18.7+/-11.2 kg, respectively. Percutaneous closure was successfully achieved in 83 subjects (94%). No deaths occurred. Thirteen patients (14.7%) had early complications: device embolization (n=4), vascular complications (n=3), and rhythm abnormalities (n=6). These were transient complications in all but one case [1.1% complete atrioventricular block (cAVB) needing pacemaker implantation]. During a median follow-up of 24 months, three subjects treated for a pmVSD needed pacemaker implantation due to the occurrence of cAVB. Multivariable analysis using Cox's proportional hazard regression showed that age was the only risk factor associated with the occurrence of cAVB (P=0.028; relative risk: 0.25).


CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous closure of mVSD and pmVSD in children can be performed safely and successfully. The occurrence of cAVB is a major concern in young children with pmVSD.
Butera
Gianfranco
G
Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Istituto Policlinico San Donato, Via Morandi, 30, 20097 San Donato Milanese, Italy. gianfra.but@lycos.com
Carminati
Mario
M
Chessa
Massimo
M
Piazza
Luciane
L
Abella
Raul
R
Negura
Diana Gabriella
DG
Giamberti
Alessandro
A
Claudio
Bussadori
B
Micheletti
Angelo
A
Tammam
Youssef
Y
Frigiola
Alessandro
A
D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology; D021721:Balloon Occlusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006327:Heart Block / Q000209:etiology; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000628:therapy*; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome