Percutaneous closure of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm: results from a multicentre experience.

AIMS: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous closure (PC) using modified double-disc ventricular septal defect (VSD) occluders in patients with ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (RSVA).

METHODS AND

RESULTS

Between 2005 and 2012, 25 patients were enrolled in our study for attempted PC. There were five patients (20%) with RSVA combined with VSD and two (8%) with aortic regurgitation (AR). The median age was 45 years (24-74 years). The QP/QS was 2.4±0.6 (1.6-4.0). The median diameter of lesions was 6 mm (4-8 mm) while the median size of occluders was 8 mm (6-12 mm). Twenty-three patients (92%) underwent PC successfully. Occluders were retrieved in two patients within one week. Trivial residual shunts developed in three and mild occluder-related AR occurred in five at discharge. During a median follow-up of 19 months (6-96 months) all trivial residual shunts vanished and mild occluder-related AR disappeared in four out of five patients. The proportion of patients in NYHA Class III/IV was reduced from 72% at baseline to 12% at the time of last follow-up (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In selected patients with RSVA, PC using modified double-disc occluders may become a valuable alternative to surgery with encouraging immediate outcomes and midterm results.