Treatment of isolated ventricular septal defects in children: Amplatzer versus surgical closure.
BACKGROUND
Isolated hemodynamically significant ventricular septal defects (VSD) were previously treated surgically. Since the introduction of percutaneous (PC) devices, the management of isolated VSD has evolved. In our center, Amplatzer devices have been implanted for selected isolated perimembranous VSD since 2002.


METHODS
The charts of all isolated PC perimembranous VSD closures and all surgical closures performed since 2002 were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic data were analyzed. The preclosure, immediate postclosure, and 1-month, 6-month, and 12-month postclosure results were assessed.


RESULTS
Thirty-seven patients underwent PC closure, and 34 had surgical treatment. Mean follow-up was 42.1 ± 26.0 months. The PC group was significantly older (p < 0.01) and larger in size (p < 0.001). Surgical patients had more severe congestive heart failure and a significantly lower VSD gradient (p < 0.004). At follow-up, there were no differences in the incidence of residual shunting between the two groups (p = 0.92). All valvular regurgitations improved over time, except for 3 aortic regurgitations (5.4%) in the PC group that got worse. Two permanent pacemakers were implanted for early complete heart block in the PC group, and one was implanted in the surgical group (p = 0.94).


CONCLUSIONS
The surgical results in our population were excellent. The selection of patients with perimembranous VSD remains a challenge to avoid post-PC intervention complications such as heart block and aortic insufficiency. For isolated VSD, PC closure, which avoids the morbidity of open heart surgery, should be considered as part of the therapeutic armamentarium.
Oses
Pierre
P
Cardiovascular Surgery Department, Sainte-Justine Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. pierre.oses@chu-bordeaux.fr
Hugues
Nicolas
N
Dahdah
Nagib
N
Vobecky
Suzanne J
SJ
Miro
Joaquim
J
Pellerin
Michel
M
Poirier
Nancy C
NC
D000293:Adolescent; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology