Background: This study sought to investigate the feasibility of transthoracic occlusion of a subarterial ventricular septal defect using a minimally invasive incision.
Methods: Between January 2009 and June 2014, we performed transthoracic subarterial ventricular septal defect occlusion for 81 patients via a minimally invasive incision. A special delivery sheath was used during surgery, and an eccentric occluder was implanted in the ventricular septal defect.
Results: Successful defect closure was achieved in 74 cases, perioperative arrhythmia occurred in five cases, and a large pericardial effusion was observed in two cases. Open heart surgery was performed for two patients to repair postoperative dislocation of the occluder. Intraoperative conversion to surgical repair was required in seven cases. During one to five years of follow-up, there was no late occluder dislocation, residual leakage, or thrombus-related complications.
Conclusions: Transthoracic subarterial ventricular septal defect occlusion using a minimally invasive incision may be an alternative to open surgical repair in selected patients. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12754 (J Card Surg 2016;31:398-402).
© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.