title: Transcatheter closure of acquired left ventricle to right atrium shunts.
abstract: We describe transcatheter closure of an acquired Gerbode defect (left ventricle to right atrium shunt) in four patients, ranging in age from 8 to 75 years. All of them had undergone previous surgery (VSD closure in 3, aortic valve replacement in 1), and either had persistent symptoms of heart failure, or developed new symptoms several months or years later. The diagnosis was made by one of several imaging modalities (transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography, or MRI), and confirmed at cardiac catheterization. Device closure using a variety of devices was successful in all, with resolution of symptoms. One patient developed complete heart block, requiring permanent pacemaker implantation. Transcatheter closure is effective, and may replace surgery in the management of these defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Juha
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sinisalo
authors.forename: Narayanswami
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sreeram
authors.forename: Shakeel A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Qureshi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016280:Atrial Function, Right; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: complications adult cath/intervention; fistula/shunts; pediatric interventions