Apical Muscular Ventricular Septal Defects Research Articles

Percardiac closure of large apical ventricular septal defects in infants: Novel modifications and mid-term results.

Background/AimBoth open heart surgery and percutaneous approaches retain several limitations in closing large apical muscular ventricular septal defects (AmVSD) in infants. We present probe‐assisted percardiac device closure (PDC), an exclusively transoesophageal‐echocardiography guided technique, as an alternative with midterm results.MethodsThirty‐six infants with large AmVSDs (single or multiple‐holed) underwent PDC in our department. Mean AmVSD for single and multiple‐holed measured 7.2 ± 2.4 mm and 6.3 ± 3.4 mm, respectively. Subjects presented with a spectrum of cardiopulmonary sequelae and growth retardation, either alone or combined. Some were ventilator dependent and re‐do cases. In addition, AmVSDs were categorized: cylindrical, tunnel and cave‐like shaped as per color Doppler interrogation. Pursuant to cardiac access and deployment technique, subjects were apportioned: group A; inferior median sternotomy (perventricular), B; right mini‐thoracotomy (peratrial) and C; complete median sternotomy (perventricular). Under exclusive echocardiography, the Z‐ or J probe‐assisted delivery system was utilized to access AmVSDs and implant device(s) via aforementioned techniques.ResultsForty‐two muscular ventricular septal devices (8.4 ± 2.6 mm) were implanted in 36 subjects uneventfully. Seventeen “complex,” and 10 cylindrical or straight tunnel‐shapedAmVSDs (including 2 re‐do patients) suited perventricular and peratrial techniques respectively. Comparatively, group B exhibited shorter procedural indices than A (p < .01). Five of 15 multiple‐holed AmVSDs (four Swiss cheese) required two or three devices for a satisfactory occlusion. Nevertheless, post occlusion insignificant residual shunts( ≤ 2 mm) seldom achieved spontaneous closure, and at 36‐month follow‐up complete closure was 67%. Residual shunt persisted amongst multiple‐holed. All patients improved during follow up.ConclusionPDC is feasible, safe and effective alternative technique for AmVSD in infants.

Transesophageal echocardiography-assisted transcatheter device closure of apical muscular ventricular septal defect.

Transesophageal echocardiography-assisted transcatheter device closure of apical muscular ventricular septal defect.

Apical Muscular Ventricular Septal Defects: Surgical Strategy Using Three-Dimensional Printed Model

To evaluate the utility of a three-dimensional printed model (3D-model) for surgical decision planning in a complex case of multiple ventricular septal defect (VSD) (so-called Swiss-cheese septum). A 3 month-old-girl with diagnosis of multiple apical VSDs in the trabecular septum, perimembranous VSD, and atrial septal defect that resulted in congestive heart failure was referred for surgical intervention. Due to inconclusive understanding of the total number, openings and locations of the apical VSDs, there were concerns regarding the best surgical approach. Using computed tomography images, a 3D-model was fabricated by fused deposition modeling of polyurethane filament. The 3D model helped identifying the total number of VSD, their origins and exits as well as the minimum number of septal bands to resect, the optimal patch size and morphology to completely close all VSDs without reducing significantly the RV cavity. The procedure was successfully replicated in the patient by right atrial approach, resulting in good RV cavity size, function and no residual VSDs evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography. Direct evaluation of the 3D printed replica anatomy and surgical simulation may help optimizing surgical approach, patch size and location and therefore it might reduce complications and residual defects.

Surgical closure of multiple large apical ventricular septal defects: how we do it.

The management of apical ventricular septal defects continues to be challenging because of the difficulty in achieving a complete closure without a left apical ventriculotomy. In this study, we present our innovative technique of closing multiple and/or large muscular apical ventricular septal defects through a right atriotomy. We operated three patients with multiple apical muscular trabecular ventricular septal defects ("Swiss cheese") using a technique that involved exclusion of the right ventricular apex. Their ages ranged between 2 months and 13 years. The VSDs were approached through right atriotomy. The trans right atrial approach using a 5-0 polypropylene purse-string suture or a two-patch procedure is a novel method of closing large apical ventricular septal defects. It was found to be effective with no persistent residual defects and did not have the disadvantages of a ventriculotomy.

Current topics in surgery for multiple ventricular septal defects.

In this review article, we describe several topics, including the sandwich technique, the transatrial re-endocardialization technique, the limited apical left ventriculotomy approach and device closure. The sandwich technique was introduced for the closure of muscular ventricular septal defects (VSD) by sandwiching the septum between two felt patches placed in the left and right ventricle. This technique requires neither the transection of muscular trabeculae nor ventriculotomy. Although the sandwich technique has resulted in the improvement of surgical outcomes, cases of postoperative cardiac dysfunction have been reported. Multiple smaller VSDs have been closed with transatrial re-endocardialization. Septal dysfunction may be avoided through this technique, in which the septal trabeculae are approximated in two layers of superficial, endocardial running sutures. Recently, a number of reports have recommended a limited apical left ventriculotomy approach. With this technique, a much shorter incision of around 1cm at the apex of the left ventricle may be sufficient for achieving the complete closure of apical muscular VSDs. The transcatheter or perventricular device closure of muscular VSDs has increasingly been performed with good results. Although favorable early and mid-term results of device closure have been reported, this method is not always safer or less invasive than surgical closure. Long-term evaluations should be performed to determine whether the right and left ventricular functions are affected by treatment with relatively large devices in the heart.

Surgical Management of Apical Muscular Ventricular Septal Defects Using the Sandwich Technique

We performed closure of apical muscular ventricular septal defects (VSDs) using the sandwich technique and assessed its role in the treatment of the defects. Twenty-one patients (nine males and 12 females) underwent VSD closure at a mean age of 15.4 months (range, 1 month to 6 years) and a mean weight of 8.3 kg (range, 4 to 20 kg). Associated cardiac malformations were present in all of the patients. VSDs were exposed through the tricuspid valve and also from the left ventricular (LV) side through a coexisting large perimembranous VSD or through the mitral valve through an interatrial septostomy. All the apical muscular VSDs were closed using the sandwich technique. There were no hospital deaths, and the postoperative course was uneventful in all patients. There was no residual shunt in 13 patients, and a minimal residual shunt (diameter ≤2 mm) was observed in four patients. Mild residual shunt (diameter ≤4 mm) was observed in two patients. At the latest follow-up, all the residual shunts had disappeared except in one patient. The wall motion of the interventricular septum and cardiac function were normal in all the patients one month after surgery. All patients were free of cardiac medications. We conclude that the sandwich technique is safe and reliable. Even in cases when a residual shunt is present, the shunt tends to decrease with time. Further experience and longer follow-up of these patients are necessary to conclude whether this technique is applicable to neonates and young infants.

The hybrid perventricular closure of apical muscular ventricular septal defect with Amplatzer duct occluder

PurposeApical muscular ventricular septal defects (MVSDs), especially in small infants, can be difficult to manage using surgical and percutaneous closure. An intraoperative perventricular procedure is a good option for closing apical MVSDs in small children with or without associated cardiac anomalies. We evaluated the results of hybrid perventricular closure of apical MVSDs performed using an Amplatzer duct occluder (ADO).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 5 patients who underwent hybrid perventricular closure of MVSDs with ADOs, from March 2006 to May 2011. The median patient age at the time of the procedure was 12 months (range, 25 days to 25 months), and the median body weight was 9.1 kg (range, 4.3 to 15 kg). Two patients had multiple ventricular septal defects (VSDs; additional perimembranous VSD in 1 patient and multiple MVSDs in the other) and 3 patients had associated cardiac anomalies; complete transposition of the great arteries in 1 patient and an atrial septal defect in 2 patients. All the procedures were performed on beating hearts, exception in 1 case. The ADO selected for the aortic side was at least 1 to 2 mm larger than the largest VSD in the left ventricle side.ResultsThe procedure was successful in all patients and each device was well positioned. During the median follow-up of 2.4 years, a small residual VSD was noted in 2 patients who had multiple VSDs and no leakage was seen in the other 3 patients.ConclusionPerventricular closure of MVSD with an ADO is a good option for patients with apical MVSD. However, careful manipulation is important, especially in the case of small infants.

Ventricular Septal Avulsion and Ventricular Septal Defect After Blunt Trauma

Traumatic ventricular septal defect is an uncommon complication of blunt chest trauma. We report a case of ventricular septal avulsion, associated with traumatic ventricular septal defect and the associated management concerns.

Surgery for a Muscular Type Ventricular Septal Defect via Right Apical Ventriculotomy -A case report-

Chung Eun Lee, M.D.*, Sang-Ho Rhie, M.D.*, Sung-Ho Mun, M.D.*, Jun-Young Choi, M.D.*, In-Seok Jang, M.D.*, Jong-Woo Kim, M.D.*. Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2010;43:63-6. https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2010.43.1.63

Device migration in hybrid technique for apical muscular ventricular septal defects closure

Muscular ventricular septal defects still require complex surgical procedures for their repair. We have used a hybrid approach for closure of these ventricular septal defects in patients needing open-heart surgery. It consists of the deployment of a ventricular septal occluder, as used in transcatheter procedures inside the defect under direct vision after cardiopulmonary bypass establishment. Through this paper, we report a case to illustrate a new and simple technique to avoid one of the most dramatic complications after this procedure: the migration of the closure device.

Surgical closure of an apical ventricular septal defect through a septal ventriculotomy

Here we report a 3-year and 7-month-old boy with a muscular ventricular septal defect at the apex. At age 7 months, pulmonary artery banding was performed. Surgical treatment consisted of double patch closure via septal ventriculotomy and a main pulmonary artery plasty by an end-to-end anastomosis with cardiopulmonary bypass. There was no residual leak of the ventricular septal defect or ventricular aneurysm and the postoperative course was good. This technique could be a useful surgical option for repair of apical muscular ventricular septal defects.

Invited commentary

This article by Van Praagh and associates presents the pathological findings and clinical management of apical muscular ventricular septal defects. This is an uncommon problem seen in 0.5% of the 3,155 heart specimens in the Cardiac Registry of the Boston Children’s Hospital. This article gives a detailed pathologic description of the morphology of the apical ventricular septal defect, which will not only help clinicians with the closure of these defects, but equally importantly, will allow for a common definition as to what constitutes an apical ventricular septal defect. The distinction between the infundibular apical recess (where apical muscular ventricular septal defects occur) and the right ventricular sinus is an important one nicely depicted in Figures 1B and 2A. It will be interesting to see if the description of a muscular band separating the infundibular apical recess from the right ventricular sinus apex (newly termed the infundibulosinus partition) is a true structure that will be recognized by others and will be adopted into our lexicon of cardiac anatomy.

Apical muscular ventricular septal defects between the left ventricle and the right ventricular infundibulum. Diagnostic and interventional considerations.

Effective transcatheter or surgical closure of apical muscular ventricular septal defects (VSDs) requires accurate delineation of variable and often complex anatomy. These defects have generally been considered as communications between the apexes of both left and right ventricles. Among 50 consecutive patients with multiple muscular VSDs referred for transcatheter device closure between October 1987 and April 1993, a subset of 10 patients (aged 7 days to 28 years) with apical muscular VSDs shared a unique set of anatomic characteristics: (1) large and often single opening in the left ventricle; (2) multiple right ventricular openings in the anterior aspect of the apical septum; and (3) separation of the right ventricular apical region into which the VSDs open from the rest of the right ventricular inflow and outflow by prominent muscle bundles. Additional analysis of the anatomy by use of echocardiography and cineangiography showed that these muscular defects were between the left ventricular apex and right ventricular infundibular apex. In 6 patients, the transcatheter devices used to create a septum in these hearts were placed in the right ventricle, straddling muscle bundles that separated the apical VSD from the rest of the right ventricular inflow and outflow, resulting in incorporation of a portion of the right ventricular infundibular apex into the physiological left ventricle. Three patients had devices placed between the apexes of the left ventricle and the infundibulum. The defect closed spontaneously within the right ventricle in 1 patient. One patient died after surgery for tetralogy of Fallot in situs inversus. The remaining 9 patients were all clinically well at the time of their most recent follow-up visit (follow-up duration, 32 +/- 11 months). This distinct type of apical VSD was identified by echocardiography in 20 of 274 patients who were followed up clinically for muscular VSDs. Left ventricular-infundibular apical VSDs constitute a distinct morphological type of muscular VSD that can be distinguished by echocardiography and cineangiography. In selected cases, the infundibular apex can be separated from the rest of the right ventricular inflow and outflow to eliminate flow across these defects.