title: [Asymmetric occluder in minimal-invasive surgical device closure of ventricular septal defects].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the suitable types of ventricular septal defects for asymmetric occluders, and elucidate the critical role of echocardiography in choosing occluders, guiding successful occlusion and avoiding injury during operation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively studied 179 patients with ventricular septal defects who received minimal-invasive surgical device closure with asymmetric occluder. We analyzed the types, size and morphology of ventricular septal defects suitable for asymmetric occluders. The therapeutic efficiency was evaluated by follow-ups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 179 successful cases treated with asymmetric occluders, 86.59% had perimembranous ventricular septal defects, and double-committed sub-arterial ventricular septal defects accounted for 13.41%. In general, the size of occluders to be selected was the maximum diameter of the defects plus 2-3 mm. Follow-ups showed that occluders were placed and fixed properly. No severe residual shunt, valve regurgitation or heart block were discovered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Application of asymmetric occluders expands the range of indications for occlusion via small chest incision. Accurate echocardiography helps to improve the safety and successful rate of the surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Echocardiography, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Xinhua
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Tianli
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Jinfu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Lian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.forename: Ni
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Wancun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Yifeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D005260:Female; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055989:Septal Occluder Device