Heart Function and Ventricular Recovery After Percutaneous Closure of Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defect in Children: A Cross-sectional Study

Perimembranous ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart defect. There is a trend for percutaneous VSD closure. However, little evidence is available for the effect of this method on ventricular remodeling.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of percutaneous closure of perimembranous VSD on cardiac function and ventricular recovery.

A total of 46 pediatric patients (32 males vs. 14 females) who underwent transcatheter closure of perimembranous VSD from 2010 to 2020 were randomly included in the study. Data regarding the demographic profile, angiographic records, and follow-up echocardiography were extracted from their files and recorded in questionnaire templates. The echocardiographic parameters were recorded and compared with published Z-scores for the corresponding age groups.

The mean duration of follow-up was 15.76 ± 12.20 months. In M-mode echocardiography, 84.6% had interventricular septum diastolic diameter Z-score ≥ 2; 23.8% had interventricular septum systolic diameter Z-score ≥ 2; 38.5% had left ventricular internal diameter in diastole Z-score ≥ 2; 34.6% had left ventricular internal diameter in systole Z-score ≥ 2; and 65.4% had left ventricular posterior wall in diastole Z-score ≥ 2. In the evaluation of Doppler and tissue Doppler, 36.4% of the patients had a Z-score ≥ 2 for E/Ea of tricuspid. Also, VSD size had a positive correlation with interventricular septal diameter in systole Z-score (P = 0.015, r = 0.537).

In the midterm follow-up after percutaneous perimembranous VSD closure, left ventricular dilation and hypertrophy persisted in a significant number of patients. However, early closure of the VSD, especially in patients with lower weight could affect ventricular hemodynamics and remodeling.