The Short and Midterm Follow-Up of Transthoracic Device Closure of Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defect in Adults

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the short- and mid-term follow-up results of transthoracic device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect (pm VSD) in adults. Methods: Sixty-one adults underwent transthoracic device closure of pmVSD at our institution from Jan. 2012 to Jan. 2016. All relevant clinical data were recorded and analyzed. All patients were invited to undergo contrast transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) for 12 months to 60 months after VSD closure. Phone interviews were conducted to further evaluate the cardiac function status. Results: All patients were successfully occluded using this procedure. The most frequent complication was transient cardiac arrhythmia, which was easily treated during the perioperative period. During the follow-up period, we found no recurrence, malignant arrhythmia, thrombosis, device embolization, valve damage, device failure, or cases of death. The total occlusion rate was 100 percent in the 12 months of follow-up, and most of patients showed significant improvement in their clinical status. From the TTE data, the intracardiac structure and cardiac function were improved in the follow-up. Conclusion: Transthoracic device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect in adults is a safe and feasible technique. The short- and mid-term follow-up results were satisfactory, but long-term follow-up is required to better assess the safety and feasibility of this method in adults.