Percutaneous closure of native and residual ventricular septal defects using a diverse range of occluder devices: a single-centre experience.

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects (VSDs) presents technical challenges in patients with complex anatomies and residual post-surgical defects. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and early outcomes of percutaneous VSD closure using a range of occlusion devices in a heterogeneous patient population.

METHODS

This was a retrospective single-centre observational study of patients who underwent percutaneous VSD closure between 2017 and 2024 at a tertiary congenital cardiac centre.

RESULTS

Twenty patients were included (12 females, 8 males) with a median age of 5.5 years (range 6 months-72.9 years) and median body weight of 18 kg (range 6.4-127 kg). Native VSDs were present in 14 patients and residual post-surgical defects in 6. Defect types included perimembranous (n = 13; including 3 Gerbode defects) and muscular (n = 7). Procedural success was achieved in 95% (19/20). Immediate complete occlusion occurred in 65% (13/20), while 7 patients had small residual shunts that remained haemodynamically insignificant at 1-year follow-up. Complications included one case of transient haemolysis and one case of ventricular ectopy requiring surgical device retrieval. No cases of complete heart block, device embolisation, or significant valve injury were observed during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous VSD closure using a range of occlusion devices is feasible and safe across different anatomies and age groups, with high procedural success and low complication rates at one-year follow-up.