Procedural outcomes of percutaneous closure of perimembranous and other ventricular septal defects using Konar-MF occluder and short-term follow-up

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: The study aims to assess the procedural outcomes and follow-up after transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects (VSDs) in children utilizing the Konar-MF™ occluder (Lifetech Scientific, Shenzhen, PRC) device. Materials and Methods: Clinical features, demographic characteristics, and follow-up findings of children undergoing percutaneous VSD device closure were retrospectively analyzed from the medical records. Results: Fifty-seven patients underwent VSD closure using the Konar-MF occluder between January 2019 and April 2023. Median age and body weight of patients were 36 (5–216) months and 12.5 (3.8–42) kg, respectively. The mean size of the defect on the left ventricular side was 6.5 ± 2.4 mm on echocardiography; the mean pulmonary artery pressure was 19.1 ± 9.7 mmHg. Three patients with severe pulmonary hypertension had successful device closure. The most used device size was 8 mm × 6 mm. The initially chosen device was upsized in 4 (7.01%) patients and downsized in 1 (1.7%) patient. Forty-five patients (78.9%) had device closure through the retrograde route. The procedure was successful in 53 (93.0%) patients. Immediate shunt occlusion was achieved in 86.8% of patients. Major complications, namely, embolization (1) and moderate aortic regurgitation (1) in two patients were successfully managed by surgery. One patient with severe tricuspid regurgitation has been on close follow-up. There was no mortality. Late complications such as valve regurgitation or rhythm disturbance were not identified on a median follow-up of 6 (1.5–47) months. Conclusion: Transcatheter VSD closure using a Konar-MF occluder device is safe and effective, even in smaller children. The ability to deliver both anterogradely and retrogradely is a unique advantage.