Iatrogenic perforation of atrial appendage and successful closure with Amplatzer Piccolo Occluder, in a 1-year-old patient

We present the successful transcatheter closure of the perforation of the cardiac wall from atrial appendage in a 1-year-old girl. Although open-heart surgical repair has been the primary option, percutaneous device closure should always be considered before surgery.

Transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects in children less than 10 kg: experience from a tertiary care referral hospital in Eastern India

Objective: To assess the feasibility of percutaneous transcatheter device closure of ventricular septal defects in children weighing less than 10 kg. Background: Although percutaneous transcatheter device closure of ventricular septal defect is a well-established method of treatment in older children and adolescents, there is limited data on device closure in small children weighing less than 10 kg. We present our institutional experience of transcatheter VSD closure in children weighing less than 10 kg. Method: Medical records were reviewed for 16 children, who were selected for device closure of ventricular septal defects based on the inclusion criteria. Results: Out of 65 patients with a diagnosis of ventricular septal defect, 16 children less than 10 kg were attempted for percutaneous device closure. In 13 patients, the device was successfully released, and 3 patients needed surgical closure of the defect. Mean age and weight of the patients were 17.3 ± 12.7 months and 6.8 ± 3.2 kg, respectively. Mean defect size was 6 mm (range 3–10). There was no incidence of device embolisation or heart block or death. Five patients had residual left-to-right shunt immediately after the device release, which got closed by the first month’s follow-up. We had one accidental perforation of right ventricular free wall at the time of crossing of the defect, which was successfully repaired surgically. Conclusion: Percutaneous device closure of ventricular septal defect in small children with weight below 10 kg is feasible with good short-term outcome. Careful patient selection is essential for procedural success and to avoid complications.

Echocardiography-guided transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects without arterial access:a fluoroscopy-free technique for alternative use in children

Background Traditional percutaneous device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (PmVSDs) is a minimally invasive technique, but can result in high radiation exposure and potential arterial complications. The feasibility of another alternative surgical repair technique for closure of VSDs by percardiac device has been proven. However, the disadvantages of surgical trauma and incision in the inferior sternum cannot avoid. Purpose In an effort to avoid radiation exposure, arterial access, surgical incision and complications, we established a novel technique for transcatheter VSD closure via the femoral vein approach under the guidance of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) without fluoroscopy. And the feasibility and safety of this new strategy have been assessed. Methods From January 2015 to June 2019, a total of 48 PmVSD patients (mean age, 7.5±2.4 years [range, 4.3– 12.0 years]; mean body weight 24.6±6.8 kg [range, 16.5–38.5 kg]; VSD diameter, 4.3±0.6 mm [range, 3.2–5.0 mm]) underwent attempted transcatheter closure via the femoral vein approach under the guidance of TEE without fluoroscopy. Results The transcatheter occlusion procedure under TEE guidance was successful in 46 (95.8%) patients. Surgery was necessary in 2 (4.2%) patients. The mean procedural duration, post-operative mechanical ventilation duration, intensive care unit (ICU) residence, and in-hospital durations were 27.2±7.4 min (range, 12.0–42.0 min), 63.2±5.3 min (range, 56.0–78.0 min), 2.1±0.1 h (mean, 2.0–2.4 h), and 2.7±0.3 d (range, 2.5–3.0 d), respectively. One patient had immediate post-operative trivial residual shunt and four patients had immediate incomplete right bundle branch block (IRBBB) after operation; the new IRBBB in 2 cases were noted in the first postoperative month. No residual shunt was noted at 3 months after the procedure, and no intervention related complications were detected at 1–36 months follow-up. Conclusion Echocardiography-guided percutaneous device closure of PmVSDs solely by femoral vein approach is effective and safe, avoids radiation exposure, potential arterial complications and a surgical incision. Procedure of percutaneous closure PmVSD Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, State Education Ministry.

Percutaneous device closure of a large complex aortic root pseudoaneurysm

Pseudoaneurysm of the aorta is a rare and high-risk complication of native aortic valve endocarditis and can develop following cardiac surgery for aortic valve and root disease. If left untreated, there is a significant risk of aortic wall rupture and fatality. Given the high risk of mortality associated with traditional open surgical repair of aortic pseudoaneurysms, endovascular approach is a potentially favourable alternative. We describe a unique case of a young woman with a large and complex paraprosthetic pseudoaneurysm with multiple communicating fistulae which was successfully percutaneously treated with two occluder devices. In this technically challenging case, a minor but unique procedural complication is also illustrated.