Transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects: preliminary results in children weighing 10 kg or less

Introduction: Ventricular septal defect is one of the commonest heart defect in children and closure of this defect with devices has seen a rapid progression over a period of time. The availability of new and safer devices has made the transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect a suitable option even in young children. Aim: The study was done to evaluate the feasibility and complications of device closure of ventricular septal defect in children weighing 10 kg or less with different types of devices. Methods: The present study was undertaken in a newly established dedicated Paediatric Cardiac Unit at a Tertiary Care Hospital. Relevant data were obtained retrospectively from the case files and the catheterisation records and data were analysed for first 50 patients with ventricular septal defect weighing 10 kg or less between March 2018 and March 2021. Results: Among these 50 patients selected, device closure was successfully done in 45 (90%) cases while 5 (10%) attempts were unsuccessful for various reasons. The mean weight in this study was 7.46 +/- 1.89 kg (2.3-10 kg), 21 (42%) cases were females while 29 (58%) were males; mean age was 19.4 +/- 11.88 months (4-48 months). Right heart catheterisation study showed 21 (42%) patients with normal pulmonary artery pressures (no pulmonary artery hypertension). Among 29 patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, 13 patients (22%) were having mild pulmonary arterial hypertension, 4 (8%) were with moderate pulmonary arterial hypertension, and 12 (24%) were with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. Mean Qp/Qs was 2.73 +/- 0.72 (2.5-4.5) and mean pulmonary vascular resistance was 1.5 +/- 1.04 (0.6-4.6 WU). Amplatzer Duct Occluder (ADOI) was used in 15 (30%) cases, 27 (52%) cases were closed with Amplatzer Duct Occluder (ADOII), and the 3 (6%) cases closure was done with Amplatzer muscular ventricular septal defect occluder. Conclusions: Transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect in children 10 kg or less is feasible and safe alternative to surgical ventricular septal defect closure. The immediate and short-term outcomes have proven this method to be safe and valid.